The optic nerve is located in the back of the eye and connects the eye to the brain. Impulses produced by the retina are sent to the brain via the optic nerve, where the impulses are developed into images.
Optic nerve definition
The optic nerve is the nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. It’s the second of 12 cranial nerves, which include the olfactory nerve, oculomotor nerve, facial nerve and others. For this reason, the optic nerve is also called the second cranial nerve or cranial nerve II.
Optic nerve anatomy
The optic nerve is located at the very back of the eye, attached to the retina. Because of its function, the optic nerve is considered part of the nervous system, even though it’s located in the eye.
The Optic Nerve (cranial nerve II)
Nerve (ganglionic) cells as well as millions of nerve fibers make up the optic nerve. During an eye exam, your doctor can perform an ophthalmoscopy to easily view the head of the optic nerve, called the optic disc. This part of the optic nerve is an extension of the brain, making it the only part of the brain that can be visible from the outside.
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