Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
The olfactory nerve, also known as cranial nerve I, is a pair of nerves responsible for the sense of smell. It transmits sensory information from the nose to the brain, allowing the detection and differentiation of odors.
Sensory neurons: Neurons that transmit sensory information from various parts of the body to the central nervous system.
Cranial nerves: A set of twelve nerves that originate in the brain and serve different functions, including sensory and motor functions, for the head and neck.
Olfaction: The process of detecting and identifying odors through sensory organs in the nasal cavity, facilitated by olfactory cells and neurons