Olfactory receptor neuron

Olfactory receptor neuron
Olfactory mucosa (labels in German): Schleimschicht = mucus layer; Cilien = cilia; Riechsinneszellen = olfactory sensory neurons; Stützzellen = supporting cells; Basalzellen = basal cells; Bowman-Drüse = Bowman's gland; Riechnerv = olfactory nerve.
Details
SystemSmell
LocationOlfactory epithelium in the nose
ShapeBipolar sensory receptor
FunctionDetect traces of chemicals in inhaled air (sense of smell)
NeurotransmitterGlutamate
Presynaptic connectionsNone
Postsynaptic connectionsOlfactory bulb
Identifiers
MeSHD018034
NeuroLex IDnifext_116
THH3.11.07.0.01003
FMA67860
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy
Plan of olfactory neurons
Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express odorant receptors. The axons of OSNs expressing the same odorant receptors converge onto corresponding glomerular targets in the olfactory bulb, allowing for the organization of olfactory information.

An olfactory receptor neuron (ORN), also called an olfactory sensory neuron (OSN), is a sensory neuron within the olfactory system. ORNs are the principal neurons of the sense of smell: they detect volatile chemicals in inhaled air and convert that chemical signal into an electrical one that is relayed to the olfactory bulb of the brain. Unusually for neurons, ORNs are continually replaced throughout life from stem cells in the olfactory epithelium.

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