Cranial nerve I : the olfactory nerve
Presentation and clinic of the Olfactory Nerve
The olfactory nerve or rather the olfactory nerves are sensory nerves.
They are responsible for conveying olfactory impulses. Thus, a damage of these nerves will manifest itself by :
- a partial loss of smell: Hyposmia
- a total loss of smell: Anosmia
- an alteration of the sense of smell: Cacosmia
Origin of the Olfactory nerve
The olfactory nerves originate from the lower surface of the olfactory bulb located in the olfactory gutter.
Path of the olfactory nerve
The olfactory nerves pass into the superarachnoid cavum and then through the foramen of the cribriform lamina.
Terminal branches of the olfactory nerve
The olfactory nerves end in the nosal fossae, in the olfactory mucosa. Some are located laterally and others medially to these pits.
Medial olfactory nerves
The medial olfactory nerves, numbering 12 to 16, descend to the nasal septum.
Lateral olfactory nerves
The lateral olfactory nerves are a little more numerous with a number ranging from 12 to 20. They descend on the superior nasal cortex.
