What part of the body do the olfactory and gustatory senses send impulses to?

The olfactory and gustatory senses, responsible for smell and taste respectively, send impulses primarily to the cerebral cortex. This area of the brain is crucial for higher processing of sensory information, allowing for the interpretation of smells and tastes.

The olfactory system specifically transmits information from the olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity through the olfactory bulb to various regions in the cerebral cortex, including the olfactory cortex and parts of the limbic system, which are involved in emotions and memory. Similarly, the gustatory signals from taste buds travel to the gustatory cortex located within the cerebral cortex, facilitating the perception and processing of taste.

In contrast, other parts of the brain serve different functions. The cerebellum is primarily involved in coordination and balance, the brainstem controls basic life functions, and the spinal cord primarily manages reflexes and communication between the brain and the rest of the body.