Olfaction Flashcards Preview

Year 2 LCRS Neurology > Olfaction > Flashcards

Flashcards in Olfaction Deck (7)
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1
Q

How do we sent smell?

How many different odors can we sense?

A

We can smell about 2000-4000 different odors

  • by sensing different molecules, direct molecular mechanism is largerly unknown
2
Q

What are the types of olfactory cells in the olfactory epithelium?

What is their respective function?

A

Three types

  1. bipolar olfactory neurons
    • receptor cells to sense smells and go to olfactory bulb
  2. sustentacular cells
    • like glia cells (hold everything together)
  3. Basal cells
    • recovery theoretically possible

Overall: progressive loss with age

3
Q

Explain the route of olfactory neurons

A
  1. Bipolar Olfactory receptive cells
    • go through cirbiform plate
    • synapse in glumberulus in olfactory bulb
  2. Second order olfactory neurons form the olfactory tract
  3. Olfactory tract split into
    • lateral olfactory stria (going to piriform cortex)
    • medial olfactory stria (going to orbitofrontal cortex)
    • Connection to brain stem promotes autonomic response (supermarket bakery)
4
Q

How do you call the loos of ability to smell?

A

Anosmia

5
Q

What is a prodromal aura?

A

Smell as prediction e.g. of a epilptic seizure:

  • anatomical relation to temporal area (where many seizures are initiated)
  • evoke smell before seizure
6
Q

Explain the relationship of anosmia and neurodegenerative disorders

A

Often, a loss of smell is associated with a neurodegenerative disorder

7
Q
A
  1. 1st order: olfactory receptor cells synapse onty glumerulos of
  2. nd order olfactory neuron, cell bodies situated in the olfactory bulb and form the olfactory tract