視神経

ししんけい
noun
optic nerve
medicalbody-internal
1. optic nerve
The nerve that carries visual signals from the retina to the brain. Used in medical contexts and in explanations of how the eye works.
視神経(ししんけい)が傷(きず)ついている。
The optic nerve is damaged.
目(め)から入(はい)った光(ひかり)は視神経(ししんけい)を通(とお)って脳(のう)に届(とど)く。
Light entering the eye travels through the optic nerve to the brain.
緑内障(りょくないしょう)は視神経(ししんけい)が少(すこ)しずつ損(そこ)なわれていく病気(びょうき)だ。
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is gradually damaged.

Formed from 視(し) (sight) plus 神経(しんけい) (nerve). The same pattern names the other cranial nerves: 聴神経(ちょうしんけい) (auditory nerve), 嗅神経(きゅうしんけい) (olfactory nerve).

Common collocations

Usage

Unlike 神経(しんけい) on its own, which is freely used figuratively (神経(しんけい)が細(こま)かい, sensitive), 視神経(ししんけい) stays literal and anatomical.

Related Words

Compare: 迷走神経(めいそうしんけい) (vagus nerve)
Compare: 聴神経 (auditory nerve)
general
Added 2026.7.28 6:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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