optic nerve

noun

: either of the second pair of cranial nerves that pass from the retina to the optic chiasma and conduct visual stimuli to the brain see eye illustration

Examples of optic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The optic nerve seems to then compress it down to about 100 million bits/sec. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2024 Lamenting this aspect of ourselves is like lamenting the spot in our eyes where the optic nerve attaches to the retina. Sigal Samuel, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024 Context: Restoring vision requires regenerating an optic nerve, which scientists haven't been able to achieve to date, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024 Glaucoma Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve. Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for optic nerve 

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optic nerve was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near optic nerve

Cite this Entry

“Optic nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optic%20nerve. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of a pair of sensory nerves that are the second pair of cranial nerves and carry visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain

Medical Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of the pair of sensory nerves that comprise the second pair of cranial nerves, arise from the ventral part of the diencephalon, form an optic chiasma before passing to the eye and spreading over the anterior surface of the retina, and conduct visual stimuli to the brain

called also second cranial nerve

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