OLFACTORY APPARATUS OF BANDICOOT (ISOODON-MACROURUS) - FINE-STRUCTURE AND PRESENCE OF A SEPTAL OLFACTORY ORGAN

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 125  (MAR) , 601-613
Abstract
The structure and distribution of the olfactory epithelium was investigated in the bandicoot, a small ground dwelling marsupial (I. macrourus). Sensory epithelium covers most of the dorsal conchae. The middle conchae are covered partly by sensory, partly by non-sensory ciliated epithelium, the proportion of the former increasing caudally. Ventral conchae are lined by non-sensory ciliated epithelium. The nasal septum carries non-sensory ciliated epithelium with goblet cells rostrally. In the caudal 2/3 of the nasal cavity it ends short of the floor of the cavity and has a ventral margin in the shape of an inverted letter T. The dorsal septum is covered by olfactory epithelium, the ventral 3rd by non-sensory epithelium with goblet cells, except for 2 isolated strips on the ventrolateral margins which are sensory and form the septal olfactory organ. In all regions the olfactory epithelium includes olfactory receptors, supporting cells, 2 types of basal cells and rarer pale and brush cells. There was considerable morphological variation in olfactory cells and evidence suggestive of continuing turnover in the receptor cell population.