Intermediate
Technical
IVT
anosmia
Pronunciation: an-OZ-mee-ah
Complete loss of the sense of smell, often indicating damage to olfactory pathways.
Full Definition
Complete loss of the sense of smell that can result from various neurological conditions including head trauma, viral infections, or neurodegenerative diseases. Anosmia is clinically significant as it may be an early indicator of conditions such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. The condition affects quality of life and can impact taste perception, leading to nutritional and safety concerns.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from hyposmia (reduced smell) and phantosmia (phantom smells).
In Context
- "The patient presented with sudden-onset anosmia following a motor vehicle accident." — Clinical assessment report
- "Research indicates that anosmia may precede motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease by several years." — Medical journal article
Also known as
smell blindness
Contrasted with
hyperosmia
normosmia
Don't confuse with
hyposmia
phantosmia