Knowra Anosmia Anosmia Anosmia is the complete loss of the ability to smell. It may be temporary or permanent and can result from problems anywhere along the olfactory pathway.
Olfactory epithelium : A patch of specialized nasal tissue containing the sensory neurons that detect airborne odor molecules. Damage here can prevent odor detection before signals enter the olfactory pathway.
COVID-19 : A contagious disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 can cause sudden smell loss, sometimes without nasal blockage.
Hyposmia : A reduced ability to smell odors. Unlike anosmia, hyposmia preserves some olfactory function.
Flavor perception : The combined sensory experience of food, integrating taste, smell, and other cues. Loss of retronasal smell removes much of the richness people experience as flavor.
Olfactory nerve : The first cranial nerve, carrying sensory information about odors from the nasal cavity toward the brain. Injury to these fibers can interrupt odor signals and cause anosmia.
Chronic rhinosinusitis : Long-lasting inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses, often involving congestion or nasal polyps. Inflammation can obstruct odor access or impair olfactory tissue.
Parosmia : A distortion in which familiar odors smell different from their usual quality. Parosmia alters odor perception rather than abolishing it.
Nutrition : The processes by which organisms obtain and use nutrients for growth, maintenance, and health. Reduced flavor and appetite can alter food choices and nutritional intake.
Olfactory bulb : A paired forebrain structure that receives and begins processing signals from olfactory sensory neurons. Damage can block or distort signals arriving from the nose.
Nasal polyp : A soft, noncancerous growth arising from inflamed tissue in the nasal passages or sinuses. Polyps can physically block odor molecules from reaching sensory tissue.
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