Visual pathway Flashcards
Where is the optic nerve myelinated?
Unmyelinated in eyeball
Myelinated posterior to disc
How many nerve fibres in optic nerve?
1.2 million
What are the divisions of the optic nerve?
Intraocular 1mm
Intraorbital 25-30mm
Intracanalicular 4-10mm
Intracranial 10mm
What are the coating of the optic nerve?
Covered by dura, arachnoid and pia -blend with sclera anteriorly
Myelin produced by oligodendryocytes
Divided into fibrous septa
Which part of the anatomy is responsible for optic disc swelling in raised intracranial pressure?
A swollen lamina cribosa
What are the four divisions of the intraocular optic nerve?
Superficial nerve fibre-> optic disc area
Prelaminar area
Laminar area
Retrolaminar area
What is the lamina cribosa?
10 connective tissue plates
Pores transmit unmyelinated axon cells from the eyeball
Provides scaffolding for optic nerve axons
Provides scaffold for central retinal artery and vein
And reinforces posterior area of the globe
How does diameter of optic nerve change behind lamina cribosa?
Increases to 3mm due to myelination
1.5mm within eyeball
Which vessels pass through optic nerve head?
Central retinal artery and vein
Where is the intraorbital part of the optic nerve?
25mm long s shaped
Runs from lamina cribosa to optic foramen
Lies within annulus of zinn at orbital apex
Anterior: long and short ciliary nerves and arteries
Lateral: ciliary ganglion (parasympathetic)
Posterior: nasociliary nerve and ophthalmic artery
Inferior: CN III +central retinal artery and vein
What travels with the intracanalicular portion of the optic nerve?
Opthalmic artery
Sympathetic nerve
Meninges
Dural sheath fuses with periosteum at this stage
Sphenoid and posterior air cells lie medially
What is the blood supply of the intraocular optic nerve?
Intraocular: anastomotic circle of Zinn from short posterior ciliary arteries
What is the blood supply of the intraorbital and intracanalicular optic nerve?
Pial plexus
What is the blood supply of the intracranial optic nerve?
Pial plexus
and branches of internal carotid
Describe the histology of the optic nerve
Supporting glial cells and blood vessels
Nerve bundles
Surrounding meninges
What are the function of the optic nerve?
transmits all visual information
Contrast visual acuity
Colour perception brightness perception
Conducts visual impulses; light reflex and accommodation reflex
Why do we test red saturation?
Difference in optic nerve colour perception
Decreased saturation = optic neuritis/pathology
Where does the central retinal artery enter the optic nerve?
1.2cm from the globe