histoarchitectural and surface ultrastructural analysis of the olfactory epithelium of puntius ticto (hamilton, 1822)

organization of various cells lining the olfactory mucosa of puntius ticto (hamilton, 1822) were described by light as well as scanning electron microscopy. the paired olfactory chambers located antero-dorsal to the eyes and communicated outside through anterior and posterior nasal openings. the oval shaped olfactory rosette lied at the bottom of chamber and composed of 18-20 lamellae arranged on either side of median raphe. sensory and non-sensory regions were distributed separately on each lamella. the sensory epithelium consisted mainly of two distinct morphological forms: ciliated and microvillous receptor cells. the non-sensory epithelium contained ciliated non-sensory cells, stratified epithelial cells with concentric microridges and mucous cells. basal cells were situated at the deeper part of the epithelium, adjacent to the central core. the functional significance of cellular components of the olfactory epithelium was discussed with the habit and habitat of fish.