Nasal placode

In embryology, the nasal placode (or olfactory placode^[1]) gives rise to the olfactory epithelium of the nose. Two nasal placodes arise as thickened ectoderm from the frontonasal process. They give rise to the nose, the philtrum of the upper lip, and the primary palate.

Nasal placode
Nasal pit shown as olfactory pit
Details
Gives rise to	Olfactory epithelium
System	Olfactory system
Identifiers
Latin	placoda nasalis, placoda olfactoria
TE	placode_by_E5.3.0.0.0.0.8 E5.3.0.0.0.0.8
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Development

During the fifth week of human embryonic development, the placodes increase in size. In the sixth week of development the centre of each placode grows inwards to form the two nasal pits. The invaginations will give rise to the olfactory epithelium that lines the roof of the nasal cavity.^[2]

The nasal pits are oval shaped and they leave a raised margin which is divided into a medial nasal process and a lateral nasal process.^[2]

The medial and lateral nasal process of each placode gives rise to the nose, the philtrum of the upper lip and the primary palate.^[2]