Question

Select all that apply

Where does the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) terminate?
a) Thalamus
b) Midbrain
c) Cornea
d) Retina

Answer 1

The optic nerve (cranial nerve II) terminates mostly in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus and also in the superior colliculus of the midbrain. The cornea and retina are involved in the visual process but are not the termination points for the optic nerve.

Step-by-step explanation:

The optic nerve (cranial nerve II) is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. After the optic nerve fibers pass through the optic chiasm, they are referred to as the optic tract. The optic tract terminates in several locations:

• The majority of the optic tract fibers synapse at the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus.
• Another important target is the superior colliculus in the midbrain.

Therefore, the correct answers for where the optic nerve terminates are:

• Thalamus
• Midbrain

The other options, cornea and retina, are not termination points for the optic nerve; rather, they are parts of the eye involved in collecting and processing visual information before it is transmitted by the optic nerve.