Physiological basis of olfaction

The olfactory system represents one of the oldest sensory modalities in the phylogenetic history of mammals. As a chemical sensor, the olfactory system detects food and influences social and sexual behavior. Within the nasal cavity, the turbinates or nasal conchae serve to direct the inspired air toward the olfactory epithelium in the upper posterior region. This area contains more than 100 million olfactory receptor cells. An understanding of the anatomical and physiology of Olfactory System has been given in this review.