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Multiple Choice
Which nerve fibers cross in the optic chiasma?
A
Temporal retinal fibers
B
Optic nerve fibers from the left eye
C
Optic nerve fibers from the right eye
D
Nasal retinal fibers
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the anatomy of the optic chiasma: The optic chiasma is a structure located at the base of the brain where the optic nerves (CN II) partially cross.
Identify the origin of the nerve fibers: The optic nerve is composed of fibers from the retina of each eye. These fibers can be categorized into nasal (medial) and temporal (lateral) fibers based on their origin in the retina.
Determine the path of the nasal retinal fibers: Nasal retinal fibers from each eye cross over to the opposite side at the optic chiasma. This crossing allows visual information from the right visual field of both eyes to be processed in the left hemisphere of the brain, and vice versa.
Recognize the path of the temporal retinal fibers: Temporal retinal fibers do not cross at the optic chiasma. They continue on the same side to the brain, ensuring that visual information from the left visual field of both eyes is processed in the right hemisphere, and vice versa.
Conclude which fibers cross at the optic chiasma: Based on the anatomical pathway, it is the nasal retinal fibers that cross in the optic chiasma, allowing for the integration of visual information from both eyes in the brain.