Lukt

Lukt is the Norwegian word for the sense of smell and for odors. It refers to the perceptual experience produced when volatile chemical compounds stimulate sensory receptors in the nasal cavity. In everyday usage, lukt can denote a neutral scent as well as an unpleasant odor, and speakers may describe a smell as a fragrance or perfume to emphasize a pleasant quality.

Physiology: Olfactory receptors in the nasal epithelium detect volatile molecules; signals are relayed to the olfactory bulb and then to higher brain regions such as the piriform cortex and the limbic system. Smell is highly context-dependent and subject to adaptation. Retronasal olfaction—the sense of odorants traveling from the mouth to the nasal cavity during eating—significantly contributes to flavor.

Usage and variation: The term lukt is used in Norwegian and in related Nordic languages with similar meaning. It pairs with verbs such as å lukte (to smell). Perceptions of odors are influenced by experience, culture, and individual sensitivity; the hedonic value of a smell ranges from pleasant to repugnant.

Health and safety: Smell disorders include anosmia (loss of smell) and hyposmia (reduced smell); causes include infections, head injury, chronic sinus disease, and neurodegenerative conditions. Smell loss can affect nutrition and safety and has been highlighted by Covid-19. Clinical smell tests, including threshold and identification tests, are used to assess olfactory function. Odors also play a central role in food, fragrance industries, and environmental monitoring.