How Do You Spell OLFACTION?

Pronunciation: [ɒlfˈakʃən] (IPA)

Olfaction is the sense of smell, and its spelling can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription for olfaction is /ɑlˈfækʃən/, which breaks the word down into its individual sounds. The "o" is pronounced as "ah," while the "lf" is pronounced as "l" followed by a voiceless "f" sound, similar to the "ph" sound in pharmacy. The "action" part of the word is pronounced as "shun." Altogether, this quirky spelling captures the complex nature of the sense of smell.

OLFACTION Meaning and Definition

1. Olfaction refers to the sense of smell in living organisms. It is the physiological ability to perceive and interpret odors or scents from the environment. Olfaction plays a crucial role in the sensory perception of many animals, including humans.

   The process of olfaction begins with the detection of airborne molecules through the specialized sensory cells in the nose called olfactory receptors. These receptors are located in the olfactory epithelium, a tissue lining the nasal cavity. When airborne odorants enter the nasal passage and come into contact with the olfactory receptors, they bind to specific sites on these receptors, triggering a chemical signal.

   Once this chemical signal is generated, it is transmitted to the olfactory bulb, a structure located in the brain. The olfactory bulb then processes the signal and relays it to other areas of the brain, including the olfactory cortex, which plays a crucial role in the interpretation and perception of smells.

   Olfaction is closely linked to the sense of taste, as it is responsible for conveying important information about the flavor of food. It also plays a significant role in communication, as many animals use scent to mark territory, identify mates, or detect predators.

   In humans, olfaction not only contributes to the enjoyment of food and the perception of pleasant or unpleasant smells but also plays a role in triggering memories and emotions. Disorders or impairments in olfaction, such as anosmia (loss of smell), can greatly affect an individual's quality of life and perception of the world around them.

2. 1. The sense of smell. 2. The act of smelling.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for OLFACTION

• ilfaction
• klfaction
• llfaction
• plfaction
• 0lfaction
• 9lfaction
• okfaction
• opfaction
• oofaction
• oldaction
• olcaction
• olvaction
• olgaction
• oltaction
• olraction
• olfzction
• olfsction
• olfwction
• olfqction
• olfacton
• olfactin
• olfaciton
• outofaction
• orphaerion
• oeraction
• tomifaction
• osifaction
• olfactiono

Etymology of OLFACTION

The word "olfaction" comes from the Latin word "olfactus", which is the past participle of the verb "olfacere". "Olfacere" is derived from the combination of "olere" meaning "to smell" and "facere" meaning "to do" or "to make". So, "olfaction" literally means "the act or process of smelling".

Similar spelling words for OLFACTION

• olfactive,
• olfactory.

Plural form of OLFACTION is OLFACTIONS