Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The olfactory pit is a structure in the developing embryo that gives rise to the nasal cavity and is crucial for the formation of the sense of smell. It forms early in embryonic development as a depression on the surface of the head region.
Related terms
Nasal cavity: The internal space behind the nose where air is warmed, moistened, and cleaned before reaching the lungs.
Embryonic development: The process by which an embryo forms and develops, involving rapid cell division and differentiation from a zygote to an organism with distinct features.
Olfaction: The sense of smell, which involves detecting and interpreting chemical molecules in the air through specialized sensory cells