Question

What are olfactory lobes?

Answer 1

Hint: The human brain is divided into 3 parts namely the forebrain midbrain and hindbrain. Sensations of smell are processed in a specific region of the prosencephalon.

Complete answer:
The olfactory lobe or the olfactory bulb is part of the forebrain which is also called the prosencephalon which is involved in olfaction means the sense of smell. The olfactory bulb sends information from the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and hippocampus. They play a major role in emotion, learning, and memory. The olfactory bulb is divided into two structures: the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb. The main olfactory bulb is connected to the amygdala via the piriform cortex and directly to the specific areas of the amygdala.

The dorsal posterior region of the accessory olfactory bulb is present on the main olfactory bulb that forms a parallel pathway. Ipsilateral anosmia, irritative lesions of the uncus are caused due to distraction of olfactory lobes which may result in hallucinations. The olfactory bulb is the most forward part of the brain found in most vertebrates and also seen in rats but in humans, the olfactory bulb is present on the inferior side of the brain. Cribriform plate and ethmoid support and protect the olfactory lobe. There are five layers from surface to center of the olfactory bulb, they are the Glomerular layer, external plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, internal plexiform layer, and granule cell layer. Sensations of smell are received by the olfactory lobe of the brain.

Additional information:
- The olfactory lobe may refer to the olfactory bulb in the vertebrates and the antennal lobe in insects.
- Vertebrates that live on plants appear to have fewer glomeruli when compared to fish and zebrafish.
- In mammals, each mitral cell is connected to one glomerulus.
- The axons of olfactory receptor (smell receptors) cells are directly extended into the olfactory bulb where information about the smell is processed.

Note: The forebrain is also known as the prosencephalon.
> It consists of three parts namely the olfactory bulb, cerebrum, and diencephalon.
> Diencephalon is also known as thalamencephalon.