Introduction to olfactory neuroepithelium

Abstract

Among the five senses, the sense of smell (olfaction) is the most sensitive and emotional window on the outside world (Stem and Marx, 1999). The olfactory system recognizes and discriminates myriad odorants of diverse molecular structures. What makes the olfactory system so specific and sensitive? OE harboring the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) also has an another unusual characteristic ability that fascinates scientists. Neurogenesis in this tissue continues throughout lifetime. This unique character provides an elegant model to study neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity, since neuronal birth, differentiation, survival, axon pathfinding, target recognition, synapse formation, and cell death can be examined in the mature OE. This special issue of Microscopic Research and Technique presents the recent developments in this exciting field of neuroscience, "structure and function of olfactory neuroepithelium." © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.