Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The olfactory system refers to the sensory system responsible for our sense of smell. It includes the olfactory receptors in our nose, the olfactory bulb in our brain, and the neural pathways that process and interpret smells.
These are specialized cells in our nasal cavity that detect different odors.
Olfactory Bulb: This is a structure located at the front of our brain that receives signals from the olfactory receptors and processes them.
Neural Pathways: These are networks of interconnected neurons that transmit information about smells from the olfactory bulb to other parts of the brain involved in processing and perception.