hajuepiteelin

Hajuepiteeli, also known as olfactory epithelium, is a specialized tissue located in the nasal cavity responsible for the sense of smell. It is a pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing several cell types. The primary sensory cells within the hajuepiteeli are olfactory receptor neurons, which possess cilia extending into the mucous layer. These cilia are studded with olfactory receptors, proteins that bind to odorant molecules present in inhaled air.

Surrounding the olfactory receptor neurons are supporting cells, which provide structural and metabolic support. These cells secrete a fluid that forms the mucous layer, trapping odorant molecules and facilitating their interaction with the receptors. Basal cells are also present in the hajuepiteeli, and these stem cells are responsible for the continuous regeneration of olfactory receptor neurons, which have a relatively short lifespan.

When odorant molecules bind to the olfactory receptors, they trigger a signal transduction cascade within the neuron, leading to the generation of an electrical signal. This signal is then transmitted along the axon of the olfactory neuron, through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, to the olfactory bulb in the brain. Here, the signals are processed and interpreted, allowing us to perceive different smells. The hajuepiteeli's structure and the diversity of its olfactory receptors enable humans to detect a vast range of odors.