Definition of Second cranial nerveSecond cranial nerve definition - medical term The second cranial nerve is the
optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain and carries
the impulses formed by the retina -- the nerve layer that lines the
back of the eye, senses light and creates the impulses -- to the
brain which interprets them as images.
The cranial nerves emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium),
as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral
column. There are twelve cranial nerves.
In terms of its embryonic development, the optic nerve is a part
of the central nervous system (CNS) rather than a peripheral
nerve.
The word "optic" comes from the Greek "optikos", pertaining to
sight.
Aside from the optic nerve, the eye has a number of other
components. These include the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina,
macula, and vitreous.
The cornea is the clear front window of the eye that
transmits and focuses light into the eye.
The iris is the colored part of the eye that helps
regulate the amount of light that enters the eye.
The pupil is the dark aperture in the iris that
determines how much light is let into the eye.
The lens is the transparent structure inside the eye that focuses
light rays onto the retina.
The retina is, as mentioned, the nerve layer that lines the back
of the eye, senses light and creates impulses that go through the
optic nerve to the brain.
The macula is a small area in the retina that contains
special light-sensitive cells and allows us to see fine details
clearly.
The vitreous humor is a clear, jelly-like substance that
fills the middle of the eye.
In sum, the optic nerve is uniquely a part of both the eye and the
brain. It is embryologically the brain's envoy to the eye and
functionally the eye's envoy to the brain.
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