The AON connects the olfactory processing centres of both hemispheres.

[5][6] The peduncle contains the AON as well as two other much smaller regions, the ventral and dorsal tenia tecta.

The AON plays a pivotal but relatively poorly understood role in the processing of odor information.

The tract forms on the ventrolateral surface of the brain and passes through the AON, continuing on to run the length of the piriform cortex, while synapsing in both regions.

The AON distributes the information to the contralateral olfactory bulb and piriform cortex as well as engaging in reciprocal interactions with the ipsilateral bulb and cortex.