The optic radiation consists of neural tracts formed by the axons of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), which project to the primary visual cortex.
- There are two optic radiations, one on each side of the brain, each responsible for carrying visual information to the corresponding hemisphere.
- The optic radiation is divided into two main pathways:
- The upper division, which carries information from the lower visual field,
- The lower division (also called Meyer’s loop), which carries information from the upper visual field.
- These pathways ensure that visual information is accurately mapped to the primary visual cortex, where it is processed and interpreted.