The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve and plays a pivotal role in vision. It comprises over one million retinal ganglion cell axons, which carry visual impulses from the retina to the brain. The optic nerve starts at the optic disc, where the nerve fibers exit the eye, and extends to the optic chiasm, where the visual pathways partially decussate. This structure is essential for conveying the visual information that allows us to perceive the world around us.
