Final answer:
The cranial nerve responsible for sending visual sensory information to the occipital lobe is the optic nerve. It transmits signals from the retinal ganglion cells to the visual cortex, where the processing and perception of vision occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cranial nerve that sends sensory information regarding vision to the occipital lobe is the optic nerve. The optic nerve is also known as the second cranial nerve and is responsible for visual sensation. It is comprised of axons from the retina that after passing the optic chiasm, form the optic tract.
This fiber structure signifies their central nervous system location. The optic nerves from both eyes meet and cross underneath the hypothalamus at the optic chiasm, and visual information is then routed to the visual cortex located within the occipital lobe of the cerebrum. There, this information is processed, allowing us to see, recognize, and identify the visual world.
The role of the optic nerve is crucial for vision as it is part of a complex pathway where visual signals are transmitted from the eye over the axons of retinal ganglion cells. These ganglion cells come in various types, some carrying information about form, movement, depth, and brightness, while others convey details about color and fine detail.
The visual information then reaches different brain areas, including the superior colliculi for the coordination of eye movements and the suprachiasmatic nucleus for circadian cycle regulation, before finally arriving at the visual cortex in the occipital lobe for perception.