Olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity (mammals)

Three-dimensional scheme electron microscopy. Six olfactory cells (1) surround one massive central supporting cell (2). A third, basal cell (3) is located at the basal plate aposing to the supporting cell. These olfactory cells are tall and slender bipolar nerve cells with chemoreceptive functions. In its groove the basal cell hides three thin axons (4) derived from olfactory cells. The dendritic process reach the surface and end as bulb-like swellings (5, olfactory vesicles or bulbs). Up to twenty long olfactory cilia (6) protrude radially from this bulb and run subsequently bend parallel to the surface of the epithelium. The one tall supporting (sustentacular) cell in the middle exhibits many short microvilli.