Optic chiasm
Visual pathway with optic chiasm (X shape outlined, red) (1543 image from Andreas Vesalius' Fabrica)
Gray's FIG. 722– Scheme showing central connections of the optic nerves and optic tracts.
The optic chiasm (from the Greek χλαζειν 'to mark with an X', after the letter 'Χ' chi) is the part of the brain where the optic nerves partially cross, those parts of the right eye that see things on the right side being connected to the left side of the brain, and vice versa.
In Siamese cats with certain genotypes of the albino gene, this wiring is disrupted, with less of the nerve-crossing than is normal[citation needed]. To compensate for lack of crossing in their brains, they cross their eyes. This is also seen in albino tigers[citation needed].
| Sensory system - Visual system - edit |
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| Eye | Optic nerve | Optic chiasm | Optic tract | Lateral geniculate nucleus | Optic radiation | Visual cortex |
