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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCranial nervesOlfactory tract
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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCranial nervesOlfactory tract

Olfactory tract

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: April 08, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Olfactory nerve [16:16]
Course of the olfactory nerve viewed from the left side of a parasagittal section.
Olfactory tract
Tractus olfactorius
1/5
Synonyms: Olfactory stalk

The olfactory tract is a bundle of axons of secondary neurons that project from the olfactory bulbs rostrally, to the primary olfactory cortex located in the temporal lobe of the cerebrum. It attaches directly to the base of the cerebral hemisphere, within the olfactory sulcus and lateral to the region of the orbitofrontal cortex known as gyrus rectus.

The olfactory tract along with the olfactory nerves, olfactory bulb, olfactory striae and olfactory cortex in the cerebrum form the olfactory pathway which is responsible for the perception of the special sense of smell. 

As it runs posteriorly, each olfactory tract flattens out forming a triangular widening called the olfactory trigone, close to the anterior perforated substance. This terminal region of the olfactory tract gives rise to two distinct fiber bands, the medial and lateral olfactory striae, which ultimately terminate in the anterior aspect of the temporal lobe called the piriform cortex, the entorhinal cortex and the amygdala.

Terminology English: Olfactory tract
Synonym: Olfactory stalk

Latin: Tractus olfactorius
Definition Bundle of axons that project from the olfactory bulb to the primary olfactory cortex
Function Special sense of smell - transmission of olfactory information

Learn more about the olfactory tract and other structures of the olfactory pathway in the following study unit:

Olfactory nerve (CN I) Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Haines, D. E., Mihailoff, G. A., Cunningham, W., Schenk, M., Armstrong, G. W., & Runyan, C. P. (2018). Fundamental neuroscience for basic and clinical applications. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
  • Nolte, J. (2009). The human brain: an introduction to its functional anatomy. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby/Elsevier.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Philadelphia: Elsevier Limited.

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