0:00
The subject of this talk
is The Optic Nerve
and Its Disorders.
And over the course
of this talk,
we will explain the anatomy
of the optic nerve,
the pathology
that can affect this nerve,
and the consequences
in terms of disease.
The talk will be presented
by Dr. Simon Skalicky
from the University of Melbourne
and myself.
My name is Keith Martin.
I'm Professor of Ophthalmology
at the University of Cambridge.
0:24
Thinking embryologically,
the optic vesicle
and cup develop as an out-pouch
of the developing forebrain.
These develop
into the oculus structures,
including retina
and optic nerve.
And this is why the optic nerve
is part of the central
nervous system.
Its histology
and pathological responses
and behavior resemble
a central nervous system
white matter tract.
This is in contrast
to all other cranial nerves,
which are peripheral nerves.
Peripheral
and central nerves differ
in terms of their glial cells.
Like the rest of the central
nervous system,
the optic nerve is surrounded
by three meningeal layers.
Finally,
unlike peripheral nerves,
the optic nerve
has a limited capacity
to regenerate axons
after injury,
which is similar to other
central nervous system
white matter tracts.
