NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Retina: Retinal Layers
1. Nerve fiber layer
2. Ganglion cell layer
3. Inner plexiform layer
4. Inner nuclear layer
5. Outer plexiform layer
6. Outer nuclear layer
7. Photoreceptor layer
8. Pigment epithelium
9. Axonal layer (inner) of the
retina
10. Ganglion cell
11. Muller cell (supporting glial
cell)
12. Bipolar cell
13. Amacrine cell
14. Horizontal cell
15. Rod
16. Cone
17. Pigment cells of the
choroids
Comment: The retina is a tissue-paper thin piece of central nervous
system tissue that contains the photoreceptors that transduce
incoming light energy to electrical messages send into the brain. It
is attached to the vascular tunic at the ora serrata. The center of
the macula (dense photoreceptors) consists entirely of cones; the
cones connect with little convergence on bipolar neurons, which in
turn synapse on retinal ganglion cells. These ganglion cells project
to the pretectum, superior colliculus, lateral geniculate nucleus,
suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, and other structures.
This macular pathway (through the lateral geniculate nucleus) is
responsible for color vision (photopic, high acuity). Rods are the main
photoreceptor of the retina and have extensive convergence onto
bipolar neurons, with further connections to ganglion cells. The rods
are responsible for night vision (scotopic, lower acuity). The macula
can undergo a gradual process of depigmentation and degeneration
with age (macular degeneration), leading to the loss of central vision
and inability to read.
Systemic Neuroscience See book 14.23