optic nerve

noun

: either of the second pair of cranial nerves that pass from the retina to the optic chiasma and conduct visual stimuli to the brain see eye illustration

Examples of optic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Last year, he was operated on in Gaza for a brain tumor pressing down on his optic nerve. Jane Arraf, NPR, 20 June 2025 The main sign seen in the eyes is optic nerve swelling, also called a papilledema headache. Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 27 May 2025 Smoking increases your risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, and optic nerve damage. Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 May 2025 The native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, was diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a disease that causes vision loss due to a degeneration of the optic nerve. Candace Oehler, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for optic nerve

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optic nerve was in 1615

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Cite this Entry

“Optic nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optic%20nerve. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of a pair of sensory nerves that are the second pair of cranial nerves and carry visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain

Medical Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of the pair of sensory nerves that comprise the second pair of cranial nerves, arise from the ventral part of the diencephalon, form an optic chiasma before passing to the eye and spreading over the anterior surface of the retina, and conduct visual stimuli to the brain

called also second cranial nerve

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