Question

Describe a test to assess the function of the olfactory nerve. why are we not doing that in our lab?

Answer 1

Answer: The olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve which conveys the sensory information related to the smell.

The receptors are nasal mucosa and forebrain. The test to access the function of olfactory nerve has to be performed at a place which is free from any type of smell.

It should be clean and free from any type of smell. In this case the person is taken to a place which is clean and dry.

He is told that the test is being performed on him. He is being exposed to different smells such as vanilla, lemon which is not that strong.

Then person has to recognize the smell of different flavors if he is able to recognize the smell correctly then his olfactory is working correctly.

Answer 2

The olfactory nerve is involved in conveying the sensory information of the smell. This is the first cranial nerve of the body. This nerve enter in the brain cribriform plate.

The function of the olfactory nerve can be tested by closing the eye of the individual and tell them to close their one nostril. The sample for smelling is put their nose and tell them to tell about the smell of object. This test is further repeated with the second nostril. If the individual identifies the correct smell, it means his olfactory nerve is working properly. This test cannot be done in the lab due to the hygiene problem and some substance can be allergic for the different individual.