Olfactory sensitivity: Is there laterality?

The side of the nose having the greater sensitivity for the detection of n-butanol was determined for 19 male subjects (nine left-handed and ten right-handed) using a two-interval forced choice paradigm and a flow dilution olfactometer. These determinations showed not only that the subjects did have a nostril of greater sensitivity but that left- and right-handed subjects significantly differed in the side of that greater sensitivity: Left-handed subjects were very consistent in showing greater sensitivity in the left side of the nose, whereas right-handed subjects showed a weak tendency toward greater sensitivity in the right side of the nose. A number of physiological and anatomical explanations are offered to account for these results, but it is felt that there is now enough evidence for a relationship between handedness and nasal side sensitivity, for whatever reason, to merit its further consideration.