The Triangle of Smell Perception

Epithelium, Bulb, and Cortex

The triangle of Epithelium, Bulb, and Cortex represents the core components of the olfactory system, responsible for detecting, processing, and interpreting smells. Together, these structures enable the sense of smell and its impact on memory, emotion, and perception.

1. Epithelium: The olfactory epithelium is located in the nasal cavity and contains specialized sensory neurons. These neurons detect odor molecules in the air and convert them into electrical signals, initiating the process of smell.

2. Bulb: The olfactory bulb is the brain structure that receives signals from the epithelium. It processes these signals and organizes them into distinct smell patterns, then relays the information to higher brain areas for further interpretation.

3. Cortex: The olfactory cortex, part of the brain, interprets the signals from the bulb, linking smells to memory, emotion, and behavior, creating a full sensory experience.

   
   

Balancing epithelium, bulb, and cortex enables the intricate process of smell perception.