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.

---

optic nerve British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

optic nerve Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of optic nerve

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

After a week getting steroids and pain medicine at Providence St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, he received the biopsy results: an extremely aggressive malignant mass was blocking blood flow to Duong’s optic nerve.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

After visiting an optician who identified a problem with his optic nerve and referred him to a neurologist, George received an MRI and lumbar puncture which confirmed his MS diagnosis in March 2022.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

It is caused by the deterioration of of the optic nerve and causes progressive and irreversible sight loss in both eyes.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

Pawan Singh, a researcher at Mizzou's School of Medicine, is dedicated to finding both biomarkers that reveal glaucoma early and therapies that safeguard the optic nerve.

From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025

But she knew that even if the knives were not poised above her optic nerve, she would attend to her nephews only out of duty.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan