The human organ of smell is also known as the olfactory organ. Synonyms for the olfactory organ include the nose, nasal cavity, nasal passages, and nostrils. The sense of smell is important for survival, detecting danger and identifying food. The olfactory organ is responsible for detecting thousands of odors and sending signals to the brain, which then interprets them into recognizable scents. Olfactory organs are present in many animals, including dogs, cats, and sharks. Within the human body, the olfactory organ's cells have a unique ability to regenerate, allowing them to continually function throughout a person's lifetime.