Visual Pathway : Anatomy : The Eyes Have It

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Temporal retina:

Optic nerve:

Contains retinal ganglion cell axons travelling to optic chiasm and on to lateral geniculate body

Optic tract:

Contains retinal ganglion cell axons carrying visual signals from contralateral hemifield
Can be damaged by diseases that affect optic chiasm

Primary visual cortex:

Reception area for optic radiations
Shape and luminance are encoded here (color, texture, depth perception, and movement encoded in visual association cortex nearby)

Optic radiations:

Carry axons of lateral geniculate body
Lie close to outer border of posterior portion of lateral ventricles.
Common causes of damage are stroke, tumor, and disorders affecting cerebral white matter

Lateral geniculate body:

Contains synapses of retinal ganglion cell axons on cells that send axons to primary visual cortex in occipital lobe
Not common site of damage except in head trauma

Optic chiasm:

Where optic nerves come together and where optic tracts start
Place where retinal ganglion axons coming from nasal retina (temporal visual field) cross to opposite optic tract and where retinal ganglion axons coming from temporal retina (nasal visual field) do not cross
Crossing fibers are especially vulnerable to disease
Damage to crossing fibers causes "bitemporal hemianopia"
Common causes of optic chiasm damage are pituitary tumors, meningiomas, aneurysms, and craniopharyngiomas

Nasal retina: