The Human Nose
The human nose is a sense organ which allows us to smell. Another word for smell is olfaction. The
olfactory receptors in the nose help to identify food, mates, predators, and provides both sensual
pleasure in the odour of flowers and perfume, as well as warnings of danger, for example spoiled
food, fire or chemical dangers. For both humans and animals, it is one of the important means by
which our environment communicates with us. Another function of the nose is the conditioning of
inhaled air, warming it and making it more humid. Hairs inside the nose prevent large particles
from entering the lungs.
Anatomy and Physiology
The nasal passages allow the passage of air for
respiration through the nose and also warm and filter
the air.
The nasal concha/turbinate bone is a long, narrow and
curled bone shelf that protrudes into the breathing
passage of the nose. In humans, the turbinates divide
the nasal airway into four groove like air passages, and
are responsible for forcing inhaled air to flow in a
steady, regular pattern around the largest possible
surface of cilia and climate controlling tissue.
How do we smell?
Specialised receptor cells of the olfactory epithelium detect and recognize smells. The air passes
through the nasal cavity and through a thick layer of mucus to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory
bulb is situated in the forebrain. The smells are recognized here because each smell molecule fits
into a nerve cell like a puzzle piece. The cells then send signals to the brain via the olfactory nerve.
The brain then interprets those molecules as the sweet flowers, or the curdling milk that you have
held up to your nose.
LexiMed Consultants
Dr Frank Anning
Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
Suite 30, Level 2, Silverton Place, 101 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000 l P.O Box 1225 Spring Hill 4004
T 07 3831 5681 l F 07 3831 5682 l www.leximed.com.au
The human nose is a sense organ which allows us to smell. Another word for smell is olfaction. The
olfactory receptors in the nose help to identify food, mates, predators, and provides both sensual
pleasure in the odour of flowers and perfume, as well as warnings of danger, for example spoiled
food, fire or chemical dangers. For both humans and animals, it is one of the important means by
which our environment communicates with us. Another function of the nose is the conditioning of
inhaled air, warming it and making it more humid. Hairs inside the nose prevent large particles
from entering the lungs.
Anatomy and Physiology
The nasal passages allow the passage of air for
respiration through the nose and also warm and filter
the air.
The nasal concha/turbinate bone is a long, narrow and
curled bone shelf that protrudes into the breathing
passage of the nose. In humans, the turbinates divide
the nasal airway into four groove like air passages, and
are responsible for forcing inhaled air to flow in a
steady, regular pattern around the largest possible
surface of cilia and climate controlling tissue.
How do we smell?
Specialised receptor cells of the olfactory epithelium detect and recognize smells. The air passes
through the nasal cavity and through a thick layer of mucus to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory
bulb is situated in the forebrain. The smells are recognized here because each smell molecule fits
into a nerve cell like a puzzle piece. The cells then send signals to the brain via the olfactory nerve.
The brain then interprets those molecules as the sweet flowers, or the curdling milk that you have
held up to your nose.
LexiMed Consultants
Dr Frank Anning
Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
Suite 30, Level 2, Silverton Place, 101 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane QLD 4000 l P.O Box 1225 Spring Hill 4004
T 07 3831 5681 l F 07 3831 5682 l www.leximed.com.au
