Quick Facts
Origin: Nasal mucosa.
Course: Pass through the cribriform plate to reach the olfactory bulb.
Branches: None.
Supply: Conveys the sense of smell.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The olfactory nerves originate in the nasal mucosa. They are formed by the olfactory sensory neurons that merge into olfactory nerve bundles.
Course
From the nasal mucosa, the olfactory nerves pass through the cribriform foramina of the ethmoid bone to reach the anterior cranial fossa. Here, the olfactory nerves enter the olfactory bulb.
Branches
There are no named branches.
Supplied Structures
The olfactory nerves are sensory and convey the sense of olfaction to the brain. Its main target is the primary olfactory cortex, located in the uncus and entorhinal cortex of the temporal lobe. Additional axons will target the amygdala and other parts of the limbic system.
List of Clinical Correlates
—Anosmia
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Anatomy of the olfactory (CN I) and optic (CN II) nerves
Anatomy of the olfactory (CN I) and optic (CN II) nerves Videos, Flashcards, High Yield Notes, & Practice Questions. Learn and reinforce your understanding of Anatomy of the olfactory (CN I) and optic (CN II) nerves.
Olfactory Nerve
These are the olfactory nerve fibers, which originate in the neurosensory cells of the olfactory epithelium and pass through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to enter the superficial layers of the olfactory bulb, where they form functional synaptic connections with target neurons in the CNS.
