User talk:Biolprof

optic nerve
The optic nerve on a technical level is part of the CNS. But also on a technical level the first part of the spinal nerves are also part of the CNS as they emerge from the spinal cord surrounded by all three meninges. Actually, technically, the optic nerve is not a cranial nerve at all, but a brain tract. But for convenience and consensus gross anatomists consider all of the cranial nerves to be part of the PNS. And if you check the PNS Wikipedia page, it states that all of the CNs are part of the PNS. My concern is as an anatomy prof. Actually, this whole CN page contains much information that is not accurate or is very confusing. Seems overwhelming to me at the moment. As an aside, I do know CNs as just published a book with Wiley on them.

optic nerve more Thanks for your message. There is really no conflict - actually there is no good definition even of what a cranial nerve is (e.g., the accessory nerve comes from the spinal cord). So the term is really a term of convenience and rests a lot on historical use of the term. If you want more details order the book listed now as the first reference on the CN page (Vilensky et al). That is my book and can be preordered now with availability in May. I do know it is a bit expensive. This was not my choice. I wanted a softback book that was accessible to people interested in the cranial nerves. Wiley thought they could sell it as a textbook. I have my doubts.