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Assorted References

major reference
- In human nervous system: Olfactory nerve (CN I or 1)
  Bipolar cells in the nasal mucosa give rise to axons that enter the cranial cavity through foramina in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. These cells and their axons, totaling about 20 to 24 in number, make up…
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cranial anatomy
- In human skeleton: Interior of the cranium
  …run many divisions of the olfactory, or first cranial, nerve, coming from the mucous membrane of the nose. At the sides of the plate are the orbital plates of the frontal bone, which form the roofs of the eye sockets. Their inner surfaces are relatively smooth but have a number…
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embryology
- In prenatal development: Cranial nerves
  The olfactory nerves (cranial nerve I) are unique in that their cell bodies lie in the olfactory epithelium (the surface membrane lining the upper parts of the nasal passages), each sending a nerve fibre back to the brain. The so-called optic nerves (II) are not true…
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nasal cavity
- In human respiratory system: The nose
  About two dozen olfactory nerves convey the sensation of smell from the olfactory cells through the bony roof of the nasal cavity to the central nervous system.
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olfactory system
- In olfactory system: Nervous pathways of smell
  …and extremely thin axon, the olfactory nerve fibre, which reaches the cranial cavity by passing through one of the openings in the bony roof of the nasal cavity and enters the olfactory bulb of the forebrain. Sensations of smell are experienced when certain chemical substances become dissolved in the thin…
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role in flavour
- In flavour
  …sense of smell involves the olfactory nerve endings in the upper part of the interior of the nose. Aromas can reach these nerves either directly through the nostrils, as in breathing, or indirectly up the back passageway from the mouth. Because of their remote location, the olfactory nerve endings are…
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work of Bartholin
- In Caspar Berthelsen Bartholin
  …was first to describe the olfactory nerve (associated with the sense of smell) as the first cranial nerve.
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nerve disorders

In nervous system disease: Olfactory nerve
Damage to the olfactory nerve can occur from a head injury, local nasal disease, or pressure from a tumour and may result in reduced sensitivity to smell or a complete loss (anosmia) on the side supplied by the nerve. Damage to the nerve…
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diagnosis
- In nervous system disease: Cranial nerves
  The physician tests the olfactory nerve by placing items with specific, mild odours, such as coffee, tar, or lemon, under the nose of the patient. The patient should be able to perceive, though not necessarily identify, the odour if the olfactory nerve is functioning correctly.
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