The boundary where optic nerve begins to be myelinated is at which structure?

Prepare for the NBEO Ocular Anatomy Posterior Segment and Cranial Nerves Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

The boundary where optic nerve begins to be myelinated is at which structure?

Explanation:
The boundary where optic nerve fibers start to be myelinated is the lamina cribrosa. In the retina and at the optic disc, retinal ganglion cell axons remain unmyelinated. Once they pass through the lamina cribrosa and enter the optic nerve proper, oligodendrocytes in the CNS wrap the axons with myelin. So this structure marks the transition from unmyelinated to myelinated fibers. The other structures—optic disc, retina, and chiasm—are not the site of this transition.

The boundary where optic nerve fibers start to be myelinated is the lamina cribrosa. In the retina and at the optic disc, retinal ganglion cell axons remain unmyelinated. Once they pass through the lamina cribrosa and enter the optic nerve proper, oligodendrocytes in the CNS wrap the axons with myelin. So this structure marks the transition from unmyelinated to myelinated fibers. The other structures—optic disc, retina, and chiasm—are not the site of this transition.

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