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Topic

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Optic tract

The optic tract is a vital component of the post-chiasmatic visual pathway, transmitting visual information from the optic chiasm to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. It contains fibers originating from both eyes and is essential for relaying visual signals necessary for conscious vision and visual reflexes. The optic tract is located in the suprasellar cistern, curving laterally and posteriorly around the cerebral peduncle, and serves as a key landmark in neuroimaging.

Synonyms

  • Tractus opticus

  • Optic tractus

Function

  • Conveys visual information from the optic chiasm to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)

  • Transmits contralateral visual field information from both eyes

  • Participates in visual reflexes (e.g., pupillary light reflex)

Arterial Supply

  • Mainly supplied by the anterior choroidal artery (branch of internal carotid artery)

  • Supplemental branches from the posterior communicating artery

  • Occasional contributions from small perforators of the middle cerebral artery

Venous Drainage

  • Primarily drained by the basal vein of Rosenthal

  • Additional drainage via deep cerebral veins such as the internal cerebral vein

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images: Optic tract appears isointense to mildly hyperintense compared to adjacent white matter

  • T2-weighted images: Optic tract appears hypointense (low signal) relative to surrounding brain parenchyma

  • FLAIR images: Optic tract is generally isointense to slightly hyperintense.

CT Appearance

  • Optic tract is usually not distinctly visualized on non-contrast CT due to small size and similar density to surrounding tissue

  • Can sometimes be inferred based on anatomical location adjacent to the cerebral peduncle and posterior to the optic chiasm

MRI images

Optic Tract mri 3t axial image

MRI images

Optic Tract mri 3t coronal image