afferent
Carrying Signals to the Brain
Plain-language definition
Carrying signals toward the brain. The optic nerve is the eye's afferent pathway - it carries vision information from the retina to the brain.
Where this term comes up
“A relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), also called a Marcus Gunn pupil, is one of the most important signs in neuro-ophthalmology.”
“Left-sided relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was present along with light-near dissociation in both eyes, despite normal fundoscopic appearance”
Publication · Bilateral Progressive Vision Loss in Noninfectious HIV Retinopathy without Infectious Retinitis
“Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD): an abnormal pupil response indicating optic nerve dysfunction”
Guide · Optic Neuritis and MS Risk - Understanding Your Diagnosis
- Category
- Anatomy
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Anatomy terms name the eye, orbit, optic nerve, retina, or visual pathway structures that may appear in an exam note or imaging report.
Related glossary terms
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.