NERVUS OPTICUS Meaning and
Definition
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Nervus Opticus, also commonly known as the optic nerve, is a vital component of the human visual system. It is one of the twelve cranial nerves and carries sensory information from the eyes to the brain, enabling us to perceive and process visual stimuli.
The nervus opticus is responsible for transferring visual signals captured by the retina, located at the back of the eye, to the visual centers of the brain. It emerges from the back of each eye and carries these signals in the form of electrical impulses towards various regions of the brain, including the primary visual cortex.
Consisting of over a million nerve fibers, the nervus opticus is encased in a protective sheath, and its structure is similar to that of other peripheral nerves in the body. Its fibers are bundled together, forming a cable-like structure.
In cases of optic nerve damage or degeneration, visual acuity and function can be significantly compromised. Conditions such as glaucoma, optic neuritis, or tumors can affect the nervus opticus, leading to partial or complete loss of vision.
The study of the nervus opticus is crucial for understanding the complex mechanisms involved in vision and the diagnosis and treatment of related visual disorders. It plays a central role in the field of ophthalmology, where experts focus on the optic nerve's health and functioning to preserve or restore vision.
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Optic nerve, 2d cranial nerve of sight; taking origin from the retina, passes out of the orbit through the optic foramen to the chiasm, where most of the fibers cross to the opposite side and pass through the optic tract to the geniculate bodies and superior corpora quadrigemina.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NERVUS OPTICUS
- bervus opticus
- mervus opticus
- jervus opticus
- hervus opticus
- nwrvus opticus
- nsrvus opticus
- ndrvus opticus
- nrrvus opticus
- n4rvus opticus
- n3rvus opticus
- neevus opticus
- nedvus opticus
- nefvus opticus
- netvus opticus
- ne5vus opticus
- ne4vus opticus
- nercus opticus
- nerbus opticus
- nergus opticus
Etymology of NERVUS OPTICUS
The term "Nervus Opticus" has its etymology in Latin.
- "Nervus" (plural: nervi) translates to "nerve" in English.
- "Opticus" is derived from the Greek word "optikos", meaning "pertaining to sight" or "vision".
When combined, "Nervus Opticus" therefore means "optic nerve" in Latin, referring to the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
