- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Main Features of Structure and Function
- 1 Structure of the Neuron and Organization of Nervous Tissue
- 2 Glia
- 3 Neuronal Excitability
- 4 Synaptic Function
- 5 Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors
- 6 Parts of the Nervous System
- 7 The Coverings of the Brain and the Ventricular System
- 8 The Blood Supply of the CNS
- Part Two Development, Aging, and Plasticity
- 9 Prenatal and Postnatal Development
- 10 The Nervous System and Aging
- 11 Restitution of Function after Brain Damage
- Part Three Sensory Systems
- 12 Sensory Receptors in General
- 13 Peripheral Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 14 Central Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 15 Pain
- 16 The Visual System
- 17 The Auditory System
- 18 The Sense of Equilibrium
- 19 Olfaction and Taste
- Part Four Motor Systems
- 20 Motor Systems and Movements in General
- 21 The Peripheral Motor Neurons and Reflexes
- 22 The Motor Cortical Areas and Descending Pathways
- 23 The Basal Ganglia
- 24 The Cerebellum
- 25 Control of Eye Movements
- Part Five The Brain Stem and the Cranial Nerves
- 26 The Reticular Formation: Premotor Networks, Consciousness, and Sleep
- 27 The Cranial Nerves
- Part Six The Autonomic Nervous System
- 28 Visceral Efferent Neurons: The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions
- 29 Sensory Visceral Neurons and Visceral Reflexes
- 30 The Central Autonomic System: The Hypothalamus
- Part Seven Limbic Structures
- 31 The Amygdala and Other Neuronal Groups with Relation to Emotions
- 32 The Hippocampal Formation: Learning and Memory
- Part Eight The Cerebral Cortex
- 33 The Cerebral Cortex: Intrinsic Organization and Connections
- 34 Functions of the Neocortex
- Literature
- Index
(p. 311) Olfaction and Taste
- Chapter:
- (p. 311) Olfaction and Taste
- Author(s):
Per Brodal
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780190228958.003.0019
Chapter 19 deals with olfaction and taste. These chemical senses enable people to recognize a vast number of different molecules. Both senses depend on binding of molecules to specific chemoreceptors. The olfactory sensory cells are neurons with an axon going to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory tract goes directly to the primary olfactory cortex (piriform cortex) in the medial temporal lobe. The taste (gustatory) receptor cells in the taste buds are equipped with receptors identifying four basic taste qualities. Signals from the taste buds are transmitted in the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves to the solitary nucleus in the upper medulla. From there signals are distributed to other brain stem nuclei important for food intake and digestion and to higher levels such as the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the primary taste area. Integration of olfactory and taste signals occurs in the orbitofrontal cortex.
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- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Main Features of Structure and Function
- 1 Structure of the Neuron and Organization of Nervous Tissue
- 2 Glia
- 3 Neuronal Excitability
- 4 Synaptic Function
- 5 Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors
- 6 Parts of the Nervous System
- 7 The Coverings of the Brain and the Ventricular System
- 8 The Blood Supply of the CNS
- Part Two Development, Aging, and Plasticity
- 9 Prenatal and Postnatal Development
- 10 The Nervous System and Aging
- 11 Restitution of Function after Brain Damage
- Part Three Sensory Systems
- 12 Sensory Receptors in General
- 13 Peripheral Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 14 Central Parts of the Somatosensory System
- 15 Pain
- 16 The Visual System
- 17 The Auditory System
- 18 The Sense of Equilibrium
- 19 Olfaction and Taste
- Part Four Motor Systems
- 20 Motor Systems and Movements in General
- 21 The Peripheral Motor Neurons and Reflexes
- 22 The Motor Cortical Areas and Descending Pathways
- 23 The Basal Ganglia
- 24 The Cerebellum
- 25 Control of Eye Movements
- Part Five The Brain Stem and the Cranial Nerves
- 26 The Reticular Formation: Premotor Networks, Consciousness, and Sleep
- 27 The Cranial Nerves
- Part Six The Autonomic Nervous System
- 28 Visceral Efferent Neurons: The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions
- 29 Sensory Visceral Neurons and Visceral Reflexes
- 30 The Central Autonomic System: The Hypothalamus
- Part Seven Limbic Structures
- 31 The Amygdala and Other Neuronal Groups with Relation to Emotions
- 32 The Hippocampal Formation: Learning and Memory
- Part Eight The Cerebral Cortex
- 33 The Cerebral Cortex: Intrinsic Organization and Connections
- 34 Functions of the Neocortex
- Literature
- Index