Olfactory epithelium

The olfactory epithelium is a specialized tissue inside your nose that detects smells. It contains sensory cells called olfactory receptor neurons, which have tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that catch odor molecules from the air. When these molecules bind to receptors on the cilia, they send signals to your brain, allowing you to perceive different scents. The tissue also includes supporting cells and basal cells that help maintain and regenerate the sensory neurons. This setup enables your sense of smell, which is important for flavor, detecting hazards, and memories.