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Olfactory Tract
Nervous System

Olfactory Tract

Tractus olfactorius

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Quick Facts

Origin: Olfactory bulb.

Course: Runs posteriorly from the olfactory bulb to the anterior perforated substance on the inferior surface of the cerebral cortex.

Branches: Olfactory striae.

Supply: Conveys the sense of smell.

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Origin

The olfactory tract originates at the posterior margin of the olfactory bulbs.

Course

The olfactory tract runs parallel to and on either side of the midline on the inferior surface of the brain. The tract runs posteriorly to the anterior perforated substance where it bifurcates and penetrates the brain as the olfactory striae.

Branches

The olfactory tract bifurcates to give rise to the olfactory striae. Typically, there is a medial stria and a lateral stria.

Supplied Structures

The olfactory tract conveys sensory information. It supplies the sense of olfaction to the brain, specifically the primary olfactory cortex which is located in the uncus, and entorhinal cortex of the temporal lobe. Additionally, axons that form the olfactory tract will target the amygdala and other parts of the limbic system.

List of Clinical Correlates

- Anosmia

Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products

Olfactory Tract

ScienceDirect image

The olfactory tract is an inclusive structure that contains fibers of the lateral olfactory tract, cells of the anterior olfactory nucleus, and fibers of the anterior limb of the anterior commissure.

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