NERVUS OLFACTORIUS Meaning and
Definition
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The nervus olfactorius, commonly known as the olfactory nerve, is one of the twelve cranial nerves that originate from the brain. It is considered a special sensory nerve as its primary function is to transmit sensory information related to the sense of smell.
The nervus olfactorius is responsible for carrying olfactory impulses from the olfactory epithelium, located within the nasal cavity, to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The nerve fibers of the nervus olfactorius pass through small openings in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, forming a network of filaments known as the olfactory nerve layer.
The olfactory nerve plays a crucial role in the sense of smell, which is an important aspect of human perception. Smell is involved in various everyday activities such as sensing pleasant or unpleasant odors, detecting food quality, recognizing danger, and participating in social interactions. Disorders affecting the nervus olfactorius, such as anosmia (loss of the sense of smell) or hyposmia (reduced ability to smell), can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
The anatomy and physiology of the nervus olfactorius differ from that of other cranial nerves, as it lacks the typical organization of sensory and motor fibers. This peculiarity, along with its primary role in transmitting olfactory sensations, sets the nervus olfactorius apart from other cranial nerves in the human body.
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Olfactory nerve, 1st cranial, nerve of smell; one of 20 nerves on each side, arising from the olfactory bulb and distributed to the nasal mucous membrane.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NERVUS OLFACTORIUS
- nervusolfactoreius
- nervusolfactworius
- nervusolfactoorius
- n ervus olfactorius
- ne rvus olfactorius
- ner vus olfactorius
- nerv us olfactorius
- nervu s olfactorius
- nervus o lfactorius
- nervus ol factorius
- nervus olf actorius
- nervus olfa ctorius
- nervus olfac torius
- nervus olfact orius
- nervus olfacto rius
- nervus olfactor ius
- nervus olfactori us
- nervus olfactoriu s
Etymology of NERVUS OLFACTORIUS
The word "nervus olfactorius" has its etymology rooted in Latin.
- "Nervus" means "nerve" in Latin, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *nere, meaning "to spin" or "to turn". This word has remained relatively unchanged in Latin-based languages.
- "Olfactorius" derives from the Latin word "olfactōrius", meaning "pertaining to smelling" or "related to the sense of smell". It is derived from the verb "olfaciō", which means "to smell" or "to perfume".
Thus, "nervus olfactorius" literally translates to "olfactory nerve", referring to the cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell.
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