Olfactory slit

• Area in the upper part of the nasal cavity near the roof where the olfactory nerve endings are present
• In normal respiration, only about 5% of air passes through the olfactory slit area
• During deep respiration / sniffing, the proportion of air flowing through the olfactory slit increases and we have improved sense of smell
• When we have common cold, mucus gets collected and obstructs the olfactory slit resulting in impaired sense of smell

Synonyms / alternate names:

• Olfactory cleft