Anterior olfactory nucleus

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Anterior olfactory nucleus
Human brainstem anterior view 2 description.JPG
Human brainstem anterior view (Anterior olfactory nucleus is not labeled, but region is visible at center top, approximately between the "2" and the "3".)
Details
Identifiers
Latin nucleus olfactorius anterior
NeuroNames 280
NeuroLex ID birnlex_1085
TA98 A14.1.09.416
TA2 5543
FMA 77628
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The anterior olfactory nucleus(AON) also called the anterior olfactory cortex, is a major early processing area for olfaction located behind the olfactory bulb, and in the olfactory tract (olfactory peduncle). The AON connects the olfactory processing centres of both hemispheres. [1]

Contents

It is involved in the sense of smell (olfaction), and has influence on other olfactory areas including the olfactory bulb and the piriform cortex. [2] [3] The AON is one of the major secondary structures of olfaction. [4]

Structure

The AON is found behind the olfactory bulb and in front of the piriform cortex (laterally) and olfactory tubercle (medially) in the olfactory tract (also olfactory peduncle) or retrobulbar area. [5] [6] The peduncle contains the AON as well as two other much smaller regions, the ventral and dorsal tenia tecta.

Function

The AON plays a pivotal but relatively poorly understood role in the processing of odor information.

Odors enter the nose (or olfactory rosette in fishes) and interact with the cilia of olfactory receptor neurons. The information is sent via the olfactory nerve (CNI) to the olfactory bulb. After processing in the bulb the signal is transmitted caudally via the axons of mitral cells, and tufted cells in the lateral olfactory tract. The tract forms on the ventrolateral surface of the brain and passes through the AON, continuing on to run the length of the piriform cortex, while synapsing in both regions. The AON distributes the information to the contralateral olfactory bulb and piriform cortex as well as engaging in reciprocal interactions with the ipsilateral bulb and cortex. Therefore, the AON is positioned to regulate information flow between nearly every region where odor information processing occurs.

Components

The AON is composed of two separate structures:

References

  1. ↑ Brunert, Daniela; Medinaceli Quintela, Renata; Rothermel, Markus (September 2023). "The anterior olfactory nucleus revisited – An emerging role for neuropathological conditions?". Progress in Neurobiology. 228 102486. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102486 .
  2. ↑ Brunjes, PC; Illig, KR; Meyer, EA (15 December 2005). "A field guide to the anterior olfactory nucleus (cortex)". Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews. 50 (2): 305–35. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2005.08.005. PMID   16229895.
  3. ↑ Saiz-Sanchez D, Ubeda-Bañon I, de la Rosa-Prieto C, et al. (June 2009). "Somatostatin, tau, and beta-amyloid within the anterior olfactory nucleus in Alzheimer disease". Exp. Neurol. 223 (2): 347–350. doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.06.010. PMID   19559700.
  4. ↑ Cleland, Thomas A.; Linster, Christiane; Haberland, G. (2019). "Central olfactory structures". Smell and Taste. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 164. pp. 79–96. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63855-7.00006-X. ISBN   978-0-444-63855-7.
  5. ↑ "BrainInfo". braininfo.rprc.washington.edu. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  6. ↑ Raspeño-García, J.F.; González-Granero, S.; Herranz-Pérez, V.; Cózar-Cuesta, A.; Artacho-Pérula, E.; Insausti, R.; García-Verdugo, J.M.; de la Rosa-Prieto, C. (April 2025). "Anatomy, histology and ultrastructure of the adult human olfactory peduncle: Blood vessel and corpora amylacea assessment". Tissue and Cell. 93 102737. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2025.102737 .
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