Final answer:
The olfactory fibers from the nose's olfactory epithelium pass through the cribriform plate and directly enter the olfactory bulbs, which are located on the ventral surface of the frontal lobe.
Step-by-step explanation:
When olfactory fibers pass through the roof of the nose, they directly enter the olfactory bulbs. These fibers originate from the olfactory epithelium, where the olfactory receptors are located, and pass through the cribriform plate to reach the olfactory bulbs on the ventral surface of the frontal lobe. From there, the signals are then transmitted to various areas of the brain, including the olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe and other structures involved in memory and emotional response.
The olfactory system is unique in that it does not synapse in the thalamus before reaching the cortical areas, unlike most other sensory systems. This direct connection to the brain's cortical areas facilitates the intimate relationship between scent, memory, and emotions.