Accessory olfactory cortical areas

Accessory olfactory cortical areas are regions of the brain involved in the processing of olfactory information received from the Accessory olfactory bulb. These areas are crucial for the interpretation and integration of pheromonal and other chemosensory signals, which are important for a variety of behaviors including mating, aggression, and territoriality. The accessory olfactory system operates parallel to the main olfactory system, which is responsible for detecting volatile odorants.

Structure

The accessory olfactory cortical areas consist of several interconnected regions of the brain, including the Amygdala, particularly its medial and cortical nuclei, and parts of the Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. These areas receive direct input from the accessory olfactory bulb, which in turn receives information from the Vomeronasal organ (VNO), a chemosensory organ that detects pheromones and other chemical signals.

Function

The primary function of the accessory olfactory cortical areas is to process and interpret the chemical signals detected by the VNO. This information is then integrated with other sensory and contextual information to generate appropriate behavioral responses. For example, the detection of specific pheromones can trigger mating behaviors in many species, while other chemical signals may induce aggressive or territorial behaviors.

The accessory olfactory system is particularly important in non-human animals for social and reproductive behaviors. However, the role of this system in humans is less clear, as the functionality of the VNO in humans is a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Clinical Significance

Alterations or damage to the accessory olfactory cortical areas can lead to changes in social and reproductive behaviors in animals. In humans, while the direct impact of these areas is less understood, research suggests that olfactory cues can influence social perception and behavior, indicating a potential role for the accessory olfactory system in human social interaction.

See Also

• Olfactory system
• Pheromone
• Vomeronasal organ
• Amygdala
• Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis