Prab at 13:10, 18 March 2025

2025-03-18T13:10:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:10, 18 March 2025
Line 48:		Line 48:
	[[Category:Human anatomy]]		[[Category:Human anatomy]]
	{{No image}}		{{No image}}
	~~__NOINDEX__~~

Prab: CSV import

2025-03-18T00:12:43Z

CSV import

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 18 March 2025
Line 48:		Line 48:
	[[Category:Human anatomy]]		[[Category:Human anatomy]]
	{{No image}}		{{No image}}
			__NOINDEX__

Prab: CSV import

2025-02-10T18:05:45Z

CSV import

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 10 February 2025
Line 47:		Line 47:
	[[Category:Neuroscience]]		[[Category:Neuroscience]]
	[[Category:Human anatomy]]		[[Category:Human anatomy]]
			{{No image}}

Prab: CSV import

2024-06-01T21:46:17Z

CSV import

New page

'''Smell''' is one of the five traditional [[senses]] and is also known as '''olfaction'''. It is the process by which [[olfactory receptors]] in the [[nasal cavity]] detect and identify airborne chemicals. The sense of smell plays a crucial role in the detection of hazards, pheromones, and food.

== Anatomy and Physiology ==
The primary organ responsible for the sense of smell is the [[nose]]. Inside the nasal cavity, there is a specialized region called the [[olfactory epithelium]], which contains olfactory receptor neurons. These neurons have cilia that extend into the nasal mucus and bind to odorant molecules.

When an odorant binds to a receptor, it triggers a signal transduction pathway that results in an electrical signal being sent to the [[olfactory bulb]] in the brain. The olfactory bulb processes these signals and sends them to other parts of the brain, including the [[olfactory cortex]], the [[amygdala]], and the [[hippocampus]], which are involved in odor perception, emotional response, and memory, respectively.

== Function ==
The sense of smell is essential for various functions, including:
* Detection of hazards such as [[smoke]], [[gas leaks]], and spoiled food.
* Identification of food and beverages.
* Social interactions through the detection of [[pheromones]].
* Enhancement of the sense of [[taste]].

== Disorders of Smell ==
Several conditions can affect the sense of smell, including:
* [[Anosmia]]: Complete loss of smell.
* [[Hyposmia]]: Reduced ability to smell.
* [[Parosmia]]: Distorted perception of smells.
* [[Phantosmia]]: Perception of smells that are not present.

These disorders can result from various causes, such as [[nasal congestion]], [[head trauma]], [[neurodegenerative diseases]] like [[Parkinson's disease]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]], and exposure to certain chemicals.

== Related Pages ==
* [[Nose]]
* [[Olfactory bulb]]
* [[Olfactory receptor]]
* [[Olfactory system]]
* [[Taste]]
* [[Pheromone]]
* [[Anosmia]]
* [[Hyposmia]]
* [[Parosmia]]
* [[Phantosmia]]

== See Also ==
* [[Sensory system]]
* [[Nasal cavity]]
* [[Signal transduction]]
* [[Olfactory cortex]]
* [[Amygdala]]
* [[Hippocampus]]

{{medicine-stub}}
[[Category:Senses]]
[[Category:Olfactory system]]
[[Category:Neuroscience]]
[[Category:Human anatomy]]

Smell - Revision history

Prab at 13:10, 18 March 2025

Prab: CSV import

Prab: CSV import

Prab: CSV import