How Do You Spell TRACTUS OPTICUS?

Pronunciation: [tɹˈaktəs ˈɒptɪkəs] (IPA)

Tractus opticus, also known as the optic tract, is a pathway in the brain that carries visual information from the retina to the visual cortex. The spelling of this term can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈtræktəs ˈɒptɪkəs/. The first syllable, "trac" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by a "t" sound. The second syllable, "tus," is pronounced with a short "u" sound and a "s" sound. The third syllable, "op," is pronounced with a long "o" sound and a "p" sound. The final syllable, "ticus," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, an "s" sound, and a schwa sound.

TRACTUS OPTICUS Meaning and Definition

1. The term "tractus opticus" refers to a specific anatomical structure within the visual pathway of the central nervous system. It is derived from Latin, with "tractus" meaning "tract" or "pathway," and "opticus" referring to "optic" or "related to vision."

   The tractus opticus is a central white matter fiber bundle that serves as a major pathway for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. It is primarily responsible for relaying visual signals from the optic chiasm, located at the base of the brain, to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus.

   Visual information from each eye is segregated within the optic tract, with fibers from the nasal (medial) half of each retina crossing over at the optic chiasm to project to the contralateral visual field. On the other hand, fibers from the temporal (lateral) half of each retina continue on the same side of the brain.

   After synapsing at the LGN, the visual signals are further relayed to the primary visual cortex, also known as the striate cortex or Area V1, located in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. Here, the information is processed and interpreted, allowing for the perception of visual stimuli.

   Overall, the tractus opticus plays a crucial role in transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain, enabling the formation of visual perception and awareness.

2. Optic tract, a flattened white band extending forward fin either side from the geniculate bodies and pulvinar of the thalamus to the optic chiasm.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for TRACTUS OPTICUS

• rractus opticus
• fractus opticus
• gractus opticus
• yractus opticus
• 6ractus opticus
• 5ractus opticus
• teactus opticus
• tdactus opticus
• tfactus opticus
• ttactus opticus
• t5actus opticus
• t4actus opticus
• trzctus opticus
• trsctus opticus
• trwctus opticus
• trqctus opticus
• traxtus opticus
• travtus opticus
• traftus opticus
• tradtus opticus

Etymology of TRACTUS OPTICUS

The term tractus opticus has Latin roots. Tractus derives from the Latin word tractus, meaning track or path. Opticus comes from the Latin word opticus, which is the adjective form of opticum, meaning optic or pertaining to sight. Therefore, tractus opticus can be translated to mean optic tract or pathway of vision.