anterior olfactory nucleus (AON)

The term anterior olfactory nucleus refers to the most rostral group of nerve cells that receive input from the main olfactory bulb. The cells are identified histologically by Nissl stain. In the human and the macaque they form small groups scattered within the olfactory tract from the main olfactory bulb through the olfactory peduncle to a much larger group on the dorsal surface of the tract on the underside of the orbital gyri. It is composed of several subgroups, which are defined by internal structure. Since the overall structure of the nucleus differs by species, the subgroups vary considerably. The human has only bulbar, medial, and lateral subdivisions ( Price-2004 ). The macaque has, in addition, external and dorsal subdivisions ( Price-2004 ). The rat has medial, lateral, dorsal, external and posteroventral parts ( Swanson-2004 ). And the mouse has the same as the rat except for a ventral part and no posteroventral part ( Hof-2000 ). The nucleus is part of the olfactory system, which mediates the sense of smell. Updated 26 Oct 2024.

Also known as: anterior olfactory nucleus, Nucleus olfactorius anterior, retrobulbar region, Regio retrobulbaris, Area retrobulbaris

NeuroNames ID: 280

All Names & Sources

Showing 18 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
anterior olfactory nucleus
English
anterior olfactory nucleus
English
anterior olfactory nucleus
English
anterior olfactory nucleus
English
anterior olfactory nucleus
English
retrobulbar region
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Internal Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Relevant Data Not Located Has The Structure

Showing 7 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Internal Structure
Yes
anterior olfactory nucleus
Internal Structure
Yes
Area retrobulbaris
Internal Structure
Yes
Nucleus olfactorius anterior
Internal Structure
Yes
Regio retrobulbaris
Internal Structure
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retrobulbar region
Internal Structure
Yes
anterior olfactory nucleus
Internal Structure
Yes
anterior olfactory nucleus
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.