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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
This cutting-edge brain implant is designed to connect directly to the visual cortex, potentially allowing even those who have lost their eyes or optic nerves to see.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
The slug pulverized her face, destroyed her cheek and jaw, blew away her eye socket and most of her teeth, damaged her optic nerve, wrecked both eyes and left a gaping hole in her cheek.
—Jeff Seidel, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2018
Its job is to bend or refract light to reach your retina, which then sends messages to your brain through the optic nerve.
—Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024
Other researchers say the findings represent a step toward successful whole-eye transplants while illustrating the challenge of regenerating the optic nerve after a major injury.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for optic nerve
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'optic nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1615, in the meaning defined above
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 5 Oct. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on optic nerve
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about optic nerve
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