Like the brain, the optic nerve is surrounded by meningeal coverings (called the pia, arachnoid and dura) that can infrequently give rise to a meningioma. Although often histologically benign, intraorbital meningiomas can cause significant morbidity and blindness due to optic nerve compression. Surgical removal can be curative, as was the case for this patient, whose tumor exhibited the typical macroscopic appearance of a meningioma characterized by a well-circumscribed tumor with a tan cut surface of dense/rubbery consistency as well as an attached portion of dura.
For further study on this topic and others related to neuropathology and neuroanatomy, the following books come highly recommended, and a small portion of the proceeds (or any Amazon purchase through these links) help with expenses of hosting this site:
Adventures in Neuropathology 
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