Development of olfactory and related structures in staged human embryos

Abstract

The staged sequence of development of the olfactory and related structures has been established from the serially sectioned human embryos of the Carnegie collection, from stage 11 to stage 23. The nasal epiblastic thickening appears at stage 11 and the nasal field is well outlined at stage 12. At stage 15, a continuous cellulovascular strand is observed between the nasal groove and the olfactory field. The vomeronasal groove appears at stage 16 (O'Rahilly 1967). During stage 17, the olfactory nerve is organized into two plexuses, lateral and medial, the latter mingled with the terminal-vomeronasal complex. The olfactory bulb begins to appear at stage 18. Stage 19 is characterized by the individualization of the olfactory bulb and nuclei. In addition, the distinction between olfactory structures and terminal and vomeronasal ones begins to be clear. The structure of the olfactory bulb is evident at stage 21. At stage 23, the olfactory strands are well individualized, and olfactory and terminal-vomeronasal fibers are easily distinguishable. The terminal ganglion is rather terminal-vomeronasal with an autonomic terminal contingent and a sensory one attached to the vomeronasal system.