anosmia

[an-oz-mee-uh, -os-]

noun

Pathology.

1. absence or loss of the sense of smell.

anosmia

/ -ˈɒs-, ˌænɒzˈmætɪk, ænˈɒzmɪə /

noun

1. pathol loss of the sense of smell, usually as the result of a lesion of the olfactory nerve, disease in another organ or part, or obstruction of the nasal passages

Other Word Forms

• anosmatic adjective
• anosmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anosmia¹

1805–15; < New Latin < Greek an- an- ¹ + osm ( ḗ ) smell (akin to ózein to smell) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of anosmia¹

C19: from New Latin, from _an- + Greek osmē smell, from ozein to smell

Example Sentences

There have even been reports of zinc-induced anosmia syndrome, meaning a loss of smell, from zinc nasal sprays.

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Although less dependent on smell to process reality than other animals, humans still need it and will suffer from mental health disorders when that ability is impaired or eliminated through a condition known as anosmia.

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For congenital anosmia, researchers suspect a genetic link or developmental abnormalities.

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There are also efforts to build neuroprostheses that would help people with anosmia detect smell again.

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Even anosmia, the loss of taste and smell — considered hallmark symptoms of this disease, though that is changing — is a neurological disorder, a category of conditions affecting the brain and central nervous system.

Read more on Salon