Ocular commissura is a medical term used to refer to the structure that connects the two optic nerves. The word is derived from Latin and Greek roots, where "ocular" means "related to the eye" and "commissura" means "junction." The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈɒkjʊlə kəˈmɪʃərə/. This word is spelled using the English alphabet, which may not accurately represent the original Latin and Greek spelling. The correct spelling should be used to ensure clarity and accuracy in medical communication.
Ocular commissura, also known as the optic chiasm, refers to the anatomical structure in the brain where the optic nerves partially cross over. It is located at the base of the brain, near the hypothalamus. The term "ocular" pertains to the eyes, while "commissura" refers to a junction or connection.
The ocular commissura plays a crucial role in visual processing. It acts as a relay center, where information from the left and right visual fields is exchanged between the two hemispheres of the brain. The optic nerves, which carry visual information from the eyes, converge at this point, with fibers from each eye crossing over to the opposite side. This allows for binocular vision and integration of visual input from both eyes.
The primary function of the ocular commissura is to enable depth perception and a more comprehensive visual perception of the environment. The crossing over of optic nerves allows for the integration and comparison of information from both eyes, resulting in a more accurate and detailed representation of the visual world. It also contributes to the ability to perceive and respond to visual stimuli on both sides of the body.
Damage or abnormalities in the ocular commissura can lead to various visual impairments, such as loss of peripheral vision, reduced visual acuity, or visual field defects. Disorders affecting this structure can result from genetic mutations, tumors, or vascular abnormalities. Medical imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans, are used to evaluate the integrity and function of the ocular commissura in diagnosing and managing visual disorders.
Commissure of the hippocampus, lyra, psalterium, a small triangular space between the diverging crura of the fornix, occupied by a thin lamina of transverse fibers usually closely adherent to the under surface of the corpus callosum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ocular commissura" is derived from Latin.
- "Ocular" comes from the Latin word "oculus", which means "eye".
- "Commissura" derives from the Latin verb "committere", which means "to join". It is formed from the prefix "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the verb "mittere" (meaning "to send" or "to put").
So, when combined, "ocular commissura" literally means "the joining of the eyes" or "the uniting of the visual pathways". In anatomical terms, it refers to the point where the optic nerves come together and cross over in the brain.