Olfactory sulcus

Olfactory groove - sulcus olfactorius, a canal in the brain. Formally located in the diencephalon region, but it begins and ends almost entirely in the forebrain. In a certain part of the formation there are a couple of dozen nerve pathways that ensure the functioning of the olfactory sense organ in humans and other higher animals. Thanks to its presence in humans, mammals and their ancestors, a large array of the lateral brain system and an increase in cranial volume arose in the process of evolution.

Olfactory sulcus

The olfactory sulcus is a groove of the olfactory nerve on the floor of the forebrain in the center of the olfactory lobe. It is the primary site where olfactory neurons connect with other nerve cells and form a gustatory, chemical, and emotional pathway for processing incoming odors. The sense of smell is the ability to distinguish odors, and in essence, the entire variety of aromas present. The cone (nose) of the nose is our organ of smell. Passing through it, the inhaled air is moistened by mucous secretions, that is, the process of filtering the air occurs, which makes the work of the olfactory organs more intense and allows you to filter out toxic substances. For example, “nude fighters” - dogs with an extremely developed sense of smell, are distinguished by the increased sensitivity of these organs and, most likely, this is why they heighten their sense of smell even during times of stress or panic. Often these animals can find a person, even if only a wet spot from his clothing remains. And blood is very smelly, since toxins are almost completely evaporated from it under the influence of heat and pressure of the body, especially if they are in the form of an aerosol in droplets of sweat rushing into the oral cavity. The olfactory analyzer is closely connected with other parts of the central nervous system; it is perfectly complemented by other odor analyzers, for example, the smell of plants, etc. Breathing, and not only through the nose, is a prior function for the sense of smell. However, if nasal breathing is impaired, the nose ceases to participate in odor processing and olfactory agnosia develops, although the person is able to distinguish color. From the standpoint of modern medicine, the presence of people with congenital or acquired anosmia is caused by a violation of the olfactory receptors and other structures or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose or throat.