Fahim Haider Jafari, Amir Ali Shoro.
A histological study of human olfactory epithelium with special reference to olfactory receptor cells.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;1(3):128-32.

Background: The olfactory epithelium of a number of vertebrate species, including man has been previously studied under light and electron microscope. The human studies have been limited to a few numbers of cases. There are marked geographical differences between Pakistan and other countries where most of the research on olfactory epithelium have been conducted. Objectives: We studied the morphology of human olfactory epithelium with special reference to olfactory receptor cells in a Pakistani population. Setting: This research was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Materials and Methods: Enbloc specimens were obtained from 30 autopsy cases. After decalcification, they were processed, stained with H & E, and seen under light microscope. The olfactory epithelium was observed in the roof, medial and lateral walls of nasal cavities. Results: The olfactory epithelium was thicker than the adjacent respiratory epithelium. In the area of olfactory epithelium, patches of respiratory epithelium were observed. A well defined basement membrane was also observed. Based upon the position of nuclei, following types of cells were identified in the epithelium; olfactory receptor cells, sustentacular cells, basal cells and microvillar cells. The olfactory receptor cells have cell bodies located in the middle of epithelium. Apical surface of these cells showed projections. The nuclei were mostly elliptical. The receptor cells were seen as typical bipolar neurons.

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