olfactory bulb
Acronym: Olf
The term olfactory bulb refers, in the human and macaque, to a small oval white structure located in the cleft between the ventral surface of the frontal lobe and the floor of the cranial cavity ( Carpenter-1983 ). In the rat and mouse it is a much larger structure in comparison to rest of the brain; there it occupies almost a quarter of the length of the cranial cavity ( Swanson-2004 ). Though classically considered a separate structure from the cerebral cortex in primates ( Nomina-1983 ), it is classified on the basis of internal structure as a component of paleocortex in all species ( Stephan-1975 ). In all species it is connected rostrally with the olfactory nerve. Caudally in primates it connects with the olfactory peduncle; in rodents it connects through the olfactory tract directly to the olfactory tubercle and olfactory areas (rodent) of the cerebral cortex ( Swanson-2004 ). It is a layered structure that contains cell bodies of the second neurons in the olfactory system. It is a key structure in the system that mediates the sense of smell.

Also known as: main olfactory bulb, Bulbus olfactoriusNeuroNames ID : 279


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