Second cranial nerve

Second Cranial Nerve

The second cranial nerve, or optic nerve, as illustrated in Gray's Anatomy.

The Second Cranial Nerve or Optic Nerve is one of the twelve cranial nerves in the human body. It is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain.

Structure

The optic nerve is composed of retinal ganglion cell axons and glial cells. Each human optic nerve contains between 770,000 and 1.7 million nerve fibers, which are axons of the retinal ganglion cells of one retina.

Function

The optic nerve functions as a conduit that transmits visual information from the retina to the visual cortex of the brain. This information is processed and interpreted, allowing for the perception of vision.

Clinical significance

Damage to the optic nerve can cause visual impairment or loss of vision, a condition known as optic neuropathy. This can occur as a result of various medical conditions, including glaucoma, optic neuritis, and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

See also

• Cranial nerves
• Visual system
• Ophthalmology

External links

• Medical Encyclopedia: Second Cranial Nerve