Final answer:
The olfactory epithelium is the superior portion of the nasal cavity that contains olfactory receptors. It is responsible for detecting different odors through the stimulation of these receptors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The olfactory epithelium is the superior portion of the nasal cavity that contains olfactory receptors. When airborne molecules dissolve in the mucus covering the olfactory epithelium, they stimulate the olfactory receptors to detect different odors. This region is where the sense of smell, or olfaction, is primarily located.