Summary The Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

The Olfactory Nerve (CN I)


 The olfactory nerve is associated with the special sense of smell
 The anatomy of the olfactory system consists of the olfactory epithelium, the
olfactory nerves, olfactory bulbs and the olfactory tracts, with the
associated cerebral cortex and subcortical structures




 Olfaction is a chemical sense, so a stimulus must be in solution before it can
activate the smell receptors
 To ensure this, the nasal mucosa of the nasal cavity secretes mucus
 The axons of the olfactory nerve are SVA fibres (special visceral afferent)



 This is a superior view of the skull with
the calvarium removed
 It shows the position of the cribiform
plate, where the filaments of the
olfactory nerve pierce the skull to
project into the nasal cavity
 The olfactory receptor neurons are
located within the superior nasal
mucosa and on the medial wall of the
superior nasal concha
 The nasal mucosa is bound to the
supporting bone and cartilage
 The inferior 2/3 of the nasal mucosa
are classified as being in the
respiratory zone, while the upper 1/3 is
in the olfactory zone