FUNCTION: special sensory (somatic afferent - vision)

The optic nerve is formed by retinal ganglion axons that converge at the optic disc at the back of the eye. CN II is unique in that it is surrounded by cranial meninges and the subarachnoid space is filled with CSF. The optic nerve travels through the OPTIC CANAL from the eye socket to the middle cranial fossa where it forms the optic chiasm.