Which sense is primarily associated with the olfactory bulbs?

The olfactory bulbs are specialized structures in the brain that play a critical role in the sense of smell. They are located at the base of the brain and act as the first processing station for olfactory information received from the nasal cavity. When odor molecules bind to receptors in the nose, the sensory neurons send signals to the olfactory bulbs, where the information is processed before being transmitted to other areas of the brain for further interpretation. This direct connection between the olfactory bulbs and the sensory input responsible for smell underscores why this sense is uniquely tied to these structures. Each of the other senses—taste, vision, and touch—relies on different sensory organs and pathways, not involving the olfactory bulbs in their primary functions.