The fine structural organization of the olfactory epithelium of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus): a scanning electron microscopic study.

The fine anatomical structures of the olfactory epithelium of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) have been systematically studied with the help of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The olfactory rosette is an oval structure composed of a number of lamellae arranged on a median raphe. A large part of the lateral surface of the rosette is covered with non-receptor epithelium, whereas the receptor epithelium occupies a much smaller area in the middle part. The nonreceptor epithelium is covered with a tuft of ciliated supporting cells, among which the stratified epithelial cells and mucous cells are located. The receptor epithelium is represented by the flagellated and microvillus receptor and supporting cells. Different cells on the olfactory epithelium correlate with the functional significance of the fish concerned.