Olfactory tracts
Olfactory Tracts
The olfactory tracts (pronunciation: ol-FAK-tuh-ree trakts) are a pair of white matter structures that connect the olfactory bulbs to the olfactory cortex in the brain. They are part of the olfactory system, which is responsible for the sense of smell.
Etymology
The term "olfactory" comes from the Latin olfactus, past participle of olfacere "to smell", from olere "to smell" + facere "to make, do". The term "tract" comes from the Latin tractus, meaning "a drawing out".
Anatomy
The olfactory tracts begin at the posterior end of the olfactory bulbs, running backwards along the inferior surface of the frontal lobe to the piriform cortex, the primary olfactory cortex. They carry the sensory input about smell from the nose to the brain.
Function
The main function of the olfactory tracts is to transmit olfactory information from the olfactory bulbs to the olfactory cortex, where the information is processed and interpreted as different smells.
Related Terms
- Olfactory nerve: The first cranial nerve that carries sensory information related to smell from the nose to the olfactory bulb.
- Olfactory bulb: A neural structure of the vertebrate forebrain involved in olfaction.
- Olfactory cortex: A part of the brain that is involved in the processing of olfactory information.
- Olfactory system: The sensory system used for smelling.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Olfactory tracts
- Wikipedia's article - Olfactory tracts
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