Seeing Your Sense of Smell

This image may look like a carnival mask, but it actually shows the key structures mammals use every time they smell. The “mouth” in the picture highlights the nasal cavity of a developing mouse, which is lined with specialized odor-sensing cells (in green). When the animal breathes in, airborne odor molecules activate these cells, which then signal to the olfactory bulbs — the “eyes” in this image. This brain structure processes the input from the cells in the nasal cavity, differentiating the smell of a blooming flower from bread baking in the oven.

About the Author

Michael W. Richardson

Michael W. Richardson is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York, covering topics ranging from the brain and behavior to the environment.