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AnatomyHead and neckOrbit and contentsOptic disc
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AnatomyHead and neckOrbit and contentsOptic disc

Optic disc

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Eyeball [25:37]
Structure of the eyeball seen in a transverse section.
Optic disc
Discus nervi optici
Synonyms: none

The optic disc is an elevation on the medial aspect of the retina where the sensory fibers and retinal vessels pass through the eyeball. The nerve fibers are conveyed via the optic nerve (CN II) and they travel alongside the central retinal artery and vein. 

The optic disc is oval-shaped and located exactly 3 mm nasaly (medially) to macula lutea. It has a slight central depression called the physiologic cup. This cup marks a point where the retinal vessels pass. 

The optic disc is the only area on the retina without any photoreceptors; hence it is known as the 'blind spot' of the eye. 

Because of its visibility upon clinical examination (ophthalmoscopy), it carries a great clinical significance. The enlargement of the disc (also known as the edema of the disc or papilloedema) may be the first sign of the raised intracranial pressure. In addition, the structural changes of the disc can also indicate the presence of raised intraocular pressure.

Terminology English: Optic disc
Latin: Discus nervi optici
Definition Slight elevation on the retina without photoreceptors
Function A passageway for the nerve fibers of the optic nerve and retinal vessels from the intracranial space into the eyeball and vice versa
Clinical significance An indicator of an increased intracranial pressure

Learn more about the anatomy on the eyeball with the following study unit: 

Anatomy of the eyeball Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

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