The term olfactory peduncle (olf) refers to the slender, cylindrical, predominantly white-matter structure that connects the main olfactory bulb (MOB) anteriorly with the cerebral cortex (CTX) posteriorly in the human ( Buck-2013 ) and the macaque ( Martin-2000 ). It contains the large olfactory tract (oltr) and embedded, quite small anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) ( Buck-2013 ). Defined topologically by dissection, the olf lies on the ventral surface of the orbital gyri (ORG) in the olfactory sulcus (olfs) between the straight gyrus (SRG) medially and the medial orbital gyrus (ORGm) laterally ( Anthoney-1994 ). Because the predominant component of the olf is the oltrt, it is often labeled 'olfactory tract' in illustrations. It is not found in the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) or mouse ( Hof-2000 ) where a very short oltr connects the MOB directly to the AON. The AON of the rodent is a large layered cortical structure. Functionally, the olf is part of the olfactory system (OSY), which mediates the sensation of smell ( Buck-2013 ). Updated 19 Dec 2024.