Olfactory pit

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