optic nerve

Thân thiện

The doctor points to a diagram of the optic nerve during the eye exam.

Definition

Noun: - The cranial nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain: The optic nerve is a bundle of over one million nerve fibers that carries electrical signals generated by the retina's light-sensitive cells (rods and cones) to the visual centers in the brain.

Usage

The term "optic nerve" is used to refer specifically to this anatomical structure. It is a singular, countable noun. - The ophthalmologist examined the back of my eye to check the health of my optic nerve. - Damage to the optic nerve can result in permanent vision loss. - Glaucoma is often caused by increased pressure that damages the optic nerve.

Advanced Usage

• "Optic nerve head" or "optic disc": The specific point at the back of the eye where the optic nerve exits the retina. This area lacks photoreceptor cells, creating a natural blind spot.
  • The doctor noted slight cupping of the optic nerve head, a sign of possible glaucoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Cranial Nerve II (CN II): The formal anatomical designation for the optic nerve.
  • The second cranial nerve is the optic nerve.
• Optic (adjective): Relating to the eye or vision.
  • An optic examination.
• Optic chiasm (noun): The point in the brain where the two optic nerves partially cross.
  • Tumors near the optic chiasm can affect vision from both eyes.

Synonyms

• Second cranial nerve: The formal synonym.
• Nervus opticus: The Latin term used in medical terminology.

Related Phrases

• Optic nerve atrophy: The degeneration or wasting away of the optic nerve.
  • The patient's vision loss was due to optic nerve atrophy.
• Optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve.
  • Optic neuritis is sometimes associated with multiple sclerosis.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the cranial nerve that serves the retina

Từ đồng nghĩa

• nervus opticus
• second cranial nerve
• optic tract