Q: How do we smell? Where are smell receptors located?
A: Every time we breathe, air flows through the nasal cavity. The turbinates (shelves of bones) makes the air flow down through the back of the mouth into the throat. Some air that flows into your mouth passes the olfactory organs. Any odor molecules in the air will past by and get stuck to the mucus in your nose. The sensory hairs sense the odor and transmit messages to your brain. Your brain, therefore knows the odor. The smell receptor cell is located high up behind your nose. The receptor is sensitive to chemicals in the mucus in your nose.
Q: What disorders/diseases are associated with smell?
A: There are many smell diseases/disorders. One of them is Sinusitis. People of all ages can have Sinusitis. It is when there is an inflammation or infection of the air pockets on either side of and behind the nose. It is caused be viruses, fungi (molds), and maybe allergies. Another disease/disorder is phantom sensations. People of all ages also can have this. Phantom sensations are when there is presence of unpleasant or disordered tastes and smells. They can also be the presence of tastes or smells that other do not perceive. Lastly, halitosis (also all ages) is when there are burning sensations in your mouth or nose. It can be perception of bad breath.
<BACK> to the index