Joshua damaged the cribriform plate in his nose.Since then, he has been unable to smell anything, leading to a loss of appetite.Because he is aware of his situation, he forces himself to eat healthy foods, though they are no longer as satisfying for him.What would be the most likely diagnosis of his condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anosmia is the medical term for the complete loss of the sense of smell. In this scenario, Joshua damaged his cribriform plate, which houses the olfactory nerves responsible for the sense of smell. As a result, he is unable to smell anything and no longer enjoys eating. Therefore, the most likely diagnosis is anosmia. Ageusia (A) would be the complete loss of taste, not smell. Resplendent paranosmia (B) is a rare condition that causes a distorted sense of smell, not a complete loss. Phantom nose syndrome (D) is a condition where people continue to experience sensations of smelling odors even though they have lost their sense of smell, which is not the case with Joshua's presentation.

Joshua Damaged the Cribriform Plate in His Nose