The spelling of "papilla nervi optici" may seem complicated at first, but it can be broken down into its individual phonetic sounds. In IPA transcription, it is written as /pəˈpɪlə ˈnɜːvi ˈɒptɪsaɪ/. This term refers to the optic disc or the part of the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye. "Papilla" comes from Latin meaning "small nipple" and "nervi optici" translates to "optic nerve" in Latin. This term is commonly used in ophthalmology when discussing eye health and disease.
The term "papilla nervi optici" refers to the optic disc, also commonly known as the blind spot. It is a small, circular region located at the back of the eyeball where the optic nerve enters the eye. The papilla nervi optici is a vital component of the visual system, as it serves as the starting point of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the retina to the brain for processing and interpretation.
The appearance of the papilla nervi optici is characterized by its pinkish color and a slight depression in the center, where the optic nerve fibers converge and exit the eye. Surrounding it, the retina extends, giving rise to the blood vessels that supply the optic nerve and retina with nutrients. However, the papilla nervi optici lacks photoreceptor cells, hence the term "blind spot." This means that the papilla nervi optici does not detect or process incoming light, resulting in a gap in the visual field.
Clinically, the papilla nervi optici is a crucial area to examine during eye examinations, as changes in its appearance can indicate underlying ocular conditions or diseases, such as glaucoma, optic neuritis, or optic nerve atrophy. By inspecting the papilla nervi optici, ophthalmologists can gather essential information about the health of the optic nerve and make diagnoses for various eye conditions.
Papilla of the optic nerve, optic disc, blind spot, a white spot in the retina to the nasal side of the macula lutea, the point of entrance of the optic nerve.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.