optic nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. either one of the second pair of cranial nerves, consisting of sensory fibers that conduct impulses from the retina to the brain.

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optic nerve British  

noun

1. the second cranial nerve, which provides a sensory pathway from the retina to the brain

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optic nerve Scientific  

1. Either of the second pair of cranial nerves, which carry sensory information relating to vision from the retina of the eye to the brain. Disease or injury of the optic nerve can result in partial or total blindness.

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optic nerve Cultural  

1. The nerve that carries electrical signals from the retina in the eye to the brain.

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Etymology

Origin of optic nerve

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Searle lives with a rare eyesight condition called Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy - which affects vision by causing the optic nerve to become progressively thinner.

From BBC

Convinced that someone must have described the optic nerve coils in earlier literature, the research team combed through vast archives.

From Science Daily

However the implant would not help restore sight in people born blind, because they don't have a functioning optic nerve to pass signals to the brain.

From BBC

In the frog, an optic nerve responds to the movement of a fly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Detailed scans by the optician showed damage to her optic nerve because of swelling in her brain.

From BBC