CHIASMA OPTICUM Meaning and
Definition
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Chiasma Opticum, also known as the optic chiasm, is a vital anatomical structure located at the base of the brain where the optic nerves partially cross over. Derived from the Greek word "chiasma," meaning "crossing," and "opticum," referring to the optic nerves, the term "Chiasma Opticum" accurately describes this particular crossing point in the visual pathway.
The Chiasma Opticum plays a pivotal role in the transmission of visual information from the eyes to the brain. It acts as a junction where the fibers of the optic nerves from each eye intersect, resulting in a partial decussation or crossing over of these fibers. This crossing allows for the integration of visual inputs from the left and right visual fields, ensuring that each hemisphere of the brain receives information from both eyes.
The primary function of the Chiasma Opticum is to facilitate the crossover of specific visual information, such as the fibers carrying visual inputs from the nasal (inner) half of each retina. These nasal fibers from each eye cross over to the contralateral side, while the temporal (outer) fibers remain uncrossed. This crossing pattern enables the brain to process visual signals in a way that preserves binocular vision and enables depth perception.
In summary, Chiasma Opticum is the anatomical structure where the optic nerves partially cross over at the base of the brain. Its crossing pattern allows for the integration of visual inputs from both eyes, contributing to the complex processing and interpretation of visual information by the brain.
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Optic chiasm, a flattened quadrangular body in front of the tuber cinereum and infundibulum, the point of crossing or decussation of the fibers of the optic nerves; most of the fibers cross to the opposite side, some run directly forward on each side without crossing, some pass transversely on the posterior surface between the two optic tracts, and others pass transversely on the anterior surface between the two optic nerves.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHIASMA OPTICUM
- xhiasma opticum
- vhiasma opticum
- fhiasma opticum
- dhiasma opticum
- cgiasma opticum
- cbiasma opticum
- cniasma opticum
- cjiasma opticum
- cuiasma opticum
- cyiasma opticum
- chuasma opticum
- chjasma opticum
- chkasma opticum
- choasma opticum
- ch9asma opticum
- ch8asma opticum
- chizsma opticum
- chissma opticum
- chiwsma opticum
Etymology of CHIASMA OPTICUM
The term Chiasma Opticum has its origins in Latin and Greek. Chiasma comes from the Greek word chiasma, meaning crossing, which in turn originates from the Greek word chiazein, meaning to mark with the letter 'X.' It refers to the crossing over of nerve fibers from the optic nerves in the brain. Opticum is the Latin word for optic, referring to anything related to vision. Therefore, Chiasma Opticum translates to optic crossing.
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