Question

Sometimes odorants can stimulate the somatosensory system through polymodal nociceptors. these sensations are mediated by the ________, which transmits information about the "feel" of an odorant.

Answer 1

Odorants can stimulate somatosensory system through polymodal nociceptors (touch, pain, temperature receptors), these sensations are mediated by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve), which transmits information about the feel of an odorant. Often, it is impossible to distinguish between sensations traveling up cranial nerve I from olfactory receptors and those traveling up cranial nerve V from somatosensory receptors e.g. peppermint, cool, Amonia, burning, etc.