Broca's Olfactory Area [Area Parolfactoria (Brocae), Bna]

Typically, when we talk about brain research, we talk about what makes our bodies so unique and our brains so brilliant. In some cases, however, we can also pay attention to the areas of our brain that are necessary for the functioning of our senses. One such area of ​​the brain is Broca's olfactory area (orofacial motor area).

The brain's olfactory system is not limited to just the receptors in the nose. It includes many other structures and systems of the brain, ranging from the posterior hypothalamus to the temporal lobes. The bulk of the brain's olfactory system is located in the brain, including the olfactory bulb, the brain's olfactory pathways, and some nuclei in the cerebral cortex.

Although many people believe that our main center of smell is the nose, in fact it does not have much capacity to process the many possible aromas, and our brain processes all smell signals through special areas in the temporal lobe. These areas, in particular, are called “olfactory”. These "olfactory" areas include a region of the left hemisphere called the lateral olfactory insula and a region of the right hemisphere called Broca's area or paralarfaxirum. Here's how it works.

Sensory input to the olfactory center of our brain occurs through the activation of olfactory neurons when they inhale molecules contained in the air; thus, nerve impulses are transmitted through the olfactory system. When we inhale and attract odor molecules into our nose, we activate a special region in our olfactory signals known as the olfactory pathway. This transmission pathway branches in the middle of the brain and then sends neurons to a specific area of ​​the prefrontal cortex - the left hemisphere lateral olfactory insula. Most people rely on this region, which plays a central role in processing olfactory information, however for some people this region is partially deactivated, resulting in decreased olfactory perception. However, if the lateral insula is damaged, it will likely not result in major changes in the ability to process other odors. The olfactory pathway in men is usually thinner and less developed than in women. There are also functional differences in the activity of the olfactory areas of both sexes, which may influence gender differences in olfactory sensitivity.

Interesting discoveries have been made in research in this area. Most of these studies point to the existence of what is known as the "hippocampal loop" - an area of ​​odor processing in our brain called the olfactory region. This area typically functions differently in men and women and in normal individuals and those who suffer loss of olfactory function.