látóidegtraktusok

The optic nerve tracts, or látóidegtraktusok in Hungarian, are pathways of nerve fibers in the brain that transmit visual information from the eyes to the visual cortex. These tracts originate from the retina, where photoreceptor cells convert light into electrical signals. These signals are then processed by various layers of retinal neurons before being relayed to the optic nerve.

The optic nerve from each eye carries these signals towards the brain. At a crucial junction called the optic chiasm, a partial crossing over of nerve fibers occurs. Information from the left visual field of both eyes converges and travels along the right optic tract, while information from the right visual field of both eyes converges and travels along the left optic tract. This contralateral organization is fundamental to how the brain processes visual input.

After the optic chiasm, the optic tracts continue to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus. The LGN acts as a relay station, further processing and organizing the visual information before sending it on. From the LGN, the visual information is transmitted via the optic radiations to the primary visual cortex (V1) located in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. Here, the signals are interpreted as conscious visual perception, allowing us to see shapes, colors, and movements. Damage to any part of the optic nerve tracts can result in specific visual field deficits or other visual impairments.