ABSTRACT
This chapter deals mainly with the olfactory epithelium of mammalian species. This type of epithelium will be consistently compared with the nasal respiratory epithelium. Olfactory and respiratory epithelial surfaces will be described using various types of light-and electron microscopy. With conventional electron microscopy, based on ultrathin plastic embedded sections, the ultrastructure of the olfactory epithelium has been described numerous times. Nomarksy interference contrast microscopy gives a three-dimensional impression and has been applied to the olfactory epithelium by Conticello et al. In mammals, respiratory and olfactory epithelia are separated in distinct regions. Both epithelia constitute the most proximal layers of cells of the mucosal tissue overlying the ethmoturbinates and the nasal septum. Major portions of the nasal cavities are lined with cells bearing cilia and/or microvilli. The mammalian olfactory epithelium is often yellowish pigmented and the respiratory epithelium is pale white.
