A m e r i c a' s   H e a l t h   S e a r c h   E n g i n e Pharmacology, and Medical Terminology Lookup

Definition of Optic nerve Optic nerve: The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve carries the impulses formed by the retina, the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye and senses light and creates impulses. These impulses are dispatched through the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as images. Using an ophthalmoscope, the head of the optic nerve can be easily seen. It can be viewed as the only visible part of the brain or extension of it. The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve. The cranial nerve emerge from or enter the skull the cranium, as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. There are twelve cranial nerves. In terms of its embryonic development, the optic nerve is a part of the central nervous system CNS rather than a peripheral nerve. The word "optic" comes from the Greek "optikos", pertaining to sight. Aside from the optic nerve, the eye has a number of other components. These include the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, and vitreous.

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