Final answer:
The olfactory mucosa is located in the upper region of the nasal cavity, specifically in the olfactory epithelium, where it plays a fundamental role in the sense of smell by detecting odor molecules that reach the olfactory bulb.
Step-by-step explanation:
The olfactory mucosa is located in the superior region of the nasal cavity. This area, known as the olfactory epithelium, is where the olfactory sensory neurons are found. These neurons have hair-like extensions or dendrites that reach into the mucus lining of the cavity.
As we inhale, airborne odor molecules dissolve into the mucus and bind to proteins, which help transport them to the olfactory dendrites. These receptors initiate a signal that eventually reaches the olfactory bulb, which then sends the information to different areas of the brain for perception of smell.