The Olfactory Mucosa of the Sheep

Abstract

The olfactory mucosa of the sheep was studied by light and electron microscopy. The epithelium conforms to the general vertebrate pattern and consists of olfactory receptor cells, supporting, and basal cells. The free edge of the epithelium is made up of long microvilli from the supporting cells and olfactory rods of the receptor cells, each carrying 40-50 cilia. All cell types contain large dark granules which may be the site of olfactory pigment. The basement membrane is not visible in light microscopy and is fine and discontinuous in electron microscopy. Bowman's glands are simple, tubular, mucus-secreting glands in the lamina propria. Their cells contain basal granules resembling those in the epithelial cells. The lamina propria also contains bundles of fine, unmyelinated, olfactory nerve fibres which are the proximal continuations of the receptor cells.