ABSTRACT
Innervation of the eye Each eye is innervated by its own optic nerve. The fibres of the nasal (medial) retina communicate information regarding the lateral visual field. Conversely, the fibres of the temporal (lateral) retina carry information regarding the medial visual field. The optic nerve fibres from each eye intersect at the optic chiasm, which lies a few millimetres above the pituitary gland. At the chiasm, the fibres from the nasal retina swap sides, while the temporal fibres remain on the ipsilateral side. On each side, fibres of the ipsilateral temporal retina and contralateral nasal retina continue as the optic tract to the lateral geniculate body. The upper fibres then pass through the temporal lobe and the lower fibres through the parietal lobe.
