second cranial nerve

5.1

The nerve that carries visual signals from the eye to the brain

noun
/ˈsɛkənd ˈkreɪniəl nɜrv/

Specialized

: segundo nervio craneal

Damage to the second cranial nerve can result in partial or complete loss of vision.

Examples

Inflammation of the second cranial nerve is commonly known as optic neuritis.
The ophthalmologist examined the patient for signs of second cranial nerve dysfunction.
The second cranial nerve transmits visual signals.
What happens if the second cranial nerve is damaged?
Damage to the second cranial nerve can result in partial or complete loss of vision.
Inflammation of the second cranial nerve is commonly known as optic neuritis.
The ophthalmologist examined the patient for signs of second cranial nerve dysfunction.

Synonyms

optic nerve

vssecond cranial nerve

Specialized

9 3.7

Part at the back of the eye that carries images to the brain

has identical meaning but appears under the alternative formal name in the key

nervus opticus

vssecond cranial nerve

Specialized

7.5

The nerve that carries sight messages from the eye to the brain

is the same in meaning but uses the common English name instead of Latin

Surface Forms

second cranial nerve singular

second cranial nerves plural

optic nerves plural

optic nerve singular

Morphology

2nd + cranial + nerve

The phrase is compositionally clear: a B1 learner who knows 'second', 'cranial' and 'nerve' can infer it refers to the cranial nerve numbered two. However, the specific identity/function (that it is the optic nerve transmitting visual information) is anatomical knowledge not derivable from the constituents, so full meaning is not predictable from the words alone.

Etymology

Second cranial nerve names the nerve that carries sight from the eye to the brain and is also called the optic nerve. The word second shows its place in the list of nerves from the head, and cranial nerve means a nerve that starts at the skull, so the name helps you remember it controls 'vision'.