| optic groove | The groove on the upper surface of the sphenoid bone running transversely between the optic canals bounded anteriorly by the sphenoidal limbus and posteriorly by the tuberculum sellae; forms in relationship to the optic chiasm. Synonym: sulcus prechiasmatis, chiasmatic sulcus, optic groove, prechiasmatic sulcus. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| optic layer | A layer of white matter interspersed with nerve-cell bodies, immediately below the superficial gray layer of the superior colliculus, composed of myelinated fibres originating in the retina and striate cortex, the inner layer of the retina, consisting of the fibres originating from the cells of the ganglionic layer of optic nerve; in their further course these fibres combine to form the optic nerve or optic tract. Synonym: stratum opticum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic lobe | In invertebrate zoology, a lateral lobe of the forebrain in certain arthropods. In vertebrate zoology, either of the corpora bigemina of lower vertebrates. (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> The optic nerve. The nerve carrying impulses for the sense of sight. Projection from the vertebrate retina to the midbrain. Embryologically, a CNS tract rather than a peripheral nerve. Popular experimental preparation for studies of regeneration of retino tectal projections in lower vertebrates and also for studies of glial cell lineage in CNS. Synonym: cranial nerve II. (18 Nov 1997) |
| optic nerve diseases | Diseases of the optic nerve. (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic nerve drusen | Basophilic, calcareous, laminated acellular bodies within the optic nerve anterior to the scleral lamina cribrosa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic nerve glioma | <radiology> F = M, child / young adult (75% less than 10 yrs, 90% less than 20 yrs), fusiform, isodense mass, with or without enhancement, rarely calcified associated with neurofibromatosis Cf: optic nerve meningioma (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic nerve head | The portion of the optic nerve seen in the fundus with the ophthalmoscope. It is formed by the meeting of all the retinal ganglion cell axons as they enter the optic nerve. Because the retina at the optic disk has no photoreceptors there is a corresponding blind spot in the visual field. (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic nerve hypoplasia | Congenitally small optic disk resulting from failure of development of retinal ganglion cells, with a reduced number of axons; visual impairment may be marked. See: de Morsier's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic nerve meningioma | <radiology> Female (80%), middle age, (24% occur before 10 yrs, but are associated with neurofibromatosis), tubular, hyperdense mass, intense tramtrack enhancement, ** Cf: optic nerve glioma (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic nerve sheath decompression | A venting of the optic nerve sheath into the retrobulbar space, by slitting or by fenestrating the sheath. See: optic nerve sheath fenestration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic nerve sheath fenestration | The cutting of a window in the dura of the optic nerve sheath to relieve papilledema and prevent further loss of optic nerve fibres. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic neuritis | <pathology> Inflammation of the optic nerve. This may occur secondary to a wide variety of causes: multiple sclerosis, posterior uveitis, vascular lesions of the optic nerve (interruption of blood supply to the optic nerve), temporal arteritis, central retinal artery occlusion, methyl alcohol poisoning, drug side effects and acute demyelinative disease of the optic nerves (destruction of optic nerve sheath). (27 Sep 1997) |
| optic neuroma | A benign tumour of the optic nerve. (12 Dec 1998) |
| optic neuropathy, ischemic | A severely blinding disease resulting from loss of the arterial blood supply to the optic nerve as a result of occlusive disorders of the nutrient arteries. Optic neuropathy is divided into anterior, which causes a pale oedema of the optic disk, and posterior, in which the optic disk is not swollen and the abnormality occurs between the globe and the optic chiasm. Ischemic anterior optic neuropathy usually causes a loss of vision that may be sudden or occur over several days; ischemic posterior optic neuropathy is uncommon and the diagnosis depends largely upon exclusion of other causes, chiefly stroke and brain tumour. (12 Dec 1998) |