The olfactory groove is the bilateral paired groove in the anterior cranial fossa floor, formed by the cribriform plate of the ethmoid and the orbital plate of the frontal bone, containing the olfactory bulbs and receiving the olfactory nerve filaments (fila olfactoria) passing through the cribriform perforations from the nasal roof. The anterior ethmoidal arteries and nerves enter the cranium via foramina flanking the cribriform plate.
The olfactory groove is the primary site of origin for olfactory groove meningiomas — the third most common meningioma location, arising from the meningeal covering of the cribriform plate. They present with anosmia (often ignored by patients), psychiatric symptoms from frontal lobe compression, and visual deterioration from optic nerve compression. Bilateral subfrontal craniotomy or expanded endonasal endoscopic approaches can remove these tumours. CSF rhinorrhoea from cribriform plate defects — traumatic, iatrogenic (FESS), or spontaneous (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) — allows CSF to flow through the olfactory groove into the nasal roof.
Olfactory groove meningioma arising from the cribriform plate produces progressive bilateral anosmia (often unrecognised), frontal lobe personality changes and disinhibition from orbital surface compression, and eventual visual loss from bilateral optic nerve compression; MRI with gadolinium demonstrates the characteristic hyperenhancing anterior fossa midline mass with dural tail.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
