neuro smell

olfactory epithelium

Tissue in the nasal cavity where smell receptors are located

Olfactory Receptor Neurons (ORNs)

Cells that detect odor molecules

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

Bundles of ORN axons that pass through the cribriform plate

Cribriform Plate

Part of the ethmoid bone with tiny holes allowing olfactory nerves to reach the brain

Olfactory Bulb

Brain structure that receives smell information first

Glomeruli

Spherical structures in the bulb where ORN axons synapse with mitral/tufted cells

Mitral Cells

Principal neurons that relay olfactory signals

Tufted Cells

Secondary relay neurons within the olfactory bulb

Olfactory Tract

Axon bundle carrying signals from the bulb to deeper brain regions

Lateral Olfactory Stria

Main pathway carrying smell info to the piriform cortex

Medial Olfactory Stria

Pathway involved in emotional/autonomic smell responses

Piriform Cortex

Primary olfactory cortex for processing odor identity

Amygdala

Region linking smell with emotion and memory