The olfactory epithelium is the specialised patch of lining in the roof of the nasal cavity that detects smells. It covers a few square centimetres on each side, over the cribriform plate, the upper nasal septum and the superior concha. It contains millions of olfactory receptor neurons, along with supporting cells, basal stem cells and Bowman glands.
| Location | Roof of the nasal cavity, on the cribriform plate, upper septum and superior concha |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Olfactory nerve (CN I) fibres to the olfactory bulb; Anterior ethmoidal nerve (CN V1, general sensation) |
| Blood Supply | Anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries; Sphenopalatine artery |
Detects airborne odour molecules and sends the information to the olfactory bulb, contributing to smell and much of flavour.
Each receptor neuron expresses one of about 400 odorant receptor types, and their axons pass through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb. Unusually for neurons, olfactory receptor neurons are replaced from basal stem cells throughout life. Smell loss commonly follows viral infections, including COVID-19, nasal polyps and head injury, and early smell loss can occur in Parkinson and Alzheimer disease.
Loss or distortion of smell after a viral infection from damage to the olfactory epithelium. Many recover over months, and smell training may help.
A rare malignant tumour arising from the olfactory epithelium high in the nasal cavity, presenting with blockage, bleeding and smell loss.
Odours cannot reach the olfactory cleft because of swelling or nasal polyps, as in chronic rhinosinusitis.
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.
