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

In their study, nine patients had succumbed to potentially blinding conditions, as a result of damage to the optic nerve, while taking common GLP-1 agonist drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. —New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2025

Lamenting this aspect of ourselves is like lamenting the spot in our eyes where the optic nerve attaches to the retina. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Jan. 2025

At 11, Pita underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor, but the procedure left permanent damage to her optic nerves. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Loss of cells on the optic nerve eventually results in vision loss. —Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

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