Retinotopy in the optic chiasm of chicks and its significance in an undesirable complication of lesioning the supraoptic decussation

Abstract

Following discrete lesions of the chick retina, the distribution of degenerating retinal ganglion cell axons in the optic chiasm was examined. A feature of particular interest was the dorsal aspect of the optic chiasm which was found to contain fibres originating from the superior temporal retina. The significance of this finding is discussed in relation to possible damage to the optic chiasm resulting as a consequence of sectioning the supraoptic decussation.