Final answer:
The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual sensation from the retina to the brain. It contains axons from the ganglion cells of the retina, which carry visual signals to the brain. Deficits in the optic nerve can result in visual field deficits, and the crossing of optical pathways at the optic chiasma allows for the coordination of visual information from both eyes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The optic nerve, also known as the second cranial nerve, is responsible for transmitting visual sensation from the retina to the brain. The optic nerve contains axons from the ganglion cells of the retina, which carry the visual signals to the brain. These axons project through the optic tract and the optic chiasm, where some of the information from one side of the visual field crosses over to the opposite side of the brain.
Deficits in the optic nerve can result in visual field deficits, such as the loss of lateral peripheral vision known as bilateral hemianopia. In some cases, this can be caused by a pituitary tumor pressing on the optic chiasm. The myelinated axons of the optic nerves carry different qualities of the visual signal, including form, movement, depth, color, and fine detail. The crossing of optical pathways at the optic chiasma allows for the coordination of visual information from both eyes.