olfactory mucosa lines the roof of the nasal cavity and superior turbinates (= nasal conchae) and is structurally modified to detect odor-producing chemicals (= odorants).
An expanded view of the olfactory mucosa shows more detail about its layered composition.
In the epithelium layer are milliona of specialized nerve cells referred to as olfactory receptors. The odorantsensitive tips of the receptors protrude into the nasal cavity from the tree surface of the epithelium. Several non-motile cilia extend from each bulbous tip.Along the cilia are many binding sites for odorants.Surrounding the receptors are many elongated supporting cells or sustentacular cells.