Optic nerve

Definition

The optic nerve is a paired cranial nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. It is crucial for vision as it carries impulses formed by light stimulation to the visual cortex where they are interpreted as images.

Related terms

Retina: The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical signals.

Visual Cortex: The part of the cerebral cortex in the brain responsible for processing visual information.

Cranial Nerves: A set of twelve nerves that originate in the brain and serve various functions including sensory, motor, or both for different parts of the head and neck