Features of Olfaction
- The olfactory fibres donot relay in the thalamus
- Bacterial and viral infections (URI) can cause loss of olfaction
- Toxins (toxic chemicals), drugs that affect cell turnover and irradiation all affect olfaction
- Abnormalities of mucous secretion in which the olfactory cilia are bathed can result in decreased olfaction
- Zinc and vitamin therapy may improve olfaction
- Only a part of the taste fibres relay in the thalamus
- Bacterial colonisation of the taste pores leads to loss of taste sensation
- Toxins (heavy metals), drugs that affect cell turn-over and irradiation all affect taste sensation
- Abnormalities of the salivary milieu in which the taste receptors are bathed can lead to loss of taste sensation
- Zinc and vitamin therapy may improve taste sensation
