Which retina layer contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors?

Which retina layer contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors?

• A. Inner Nuclear Layer
• B. Outer Nuclear Layer
• C. Ganglion Cell Layer
• D. Plexiform Layer

Answer: (B)

Photoreceptors (rods and cones) have their cell bodies in the outer nuclear layer. This layer is defined by containing the nuclei of the photoreceptor cells, while their light-detecting outer segments sit adjacent to the retinal pigment epithelium and connect to bipolar and horizontal cells in the outer plexiform layer where synapses occur. The inner nuclear layer houses the cell bodies of other retinal neurons (bipolar, horizontal, amacrine) and Müller glia, while the ganglion cell layer contains the cell bodies of retinal ganglion cells. The plexiform layers are the sites of synaptic connections, not cell bodies. So the layer that contains the photoreceptor cell bodies is the outer nuclear layer.

Photoreceptors (rods and cones) have their cell bodies in the outer nuclear layer. This layer is defined by containing the nuclei of the photoreceptor cells, while their light-detecting outer segments sit adjacent to the retinal pigment epithelium and connect to bipolar and horizontal cells in the outer plexiform layer where synapses occur. The inner nuclear layer houses the cell bodies of other retinal neurons (bipolar, horizontal, amacrine) and Müller glia, while the ganglion cell layer contains the cell bodies of retinal ganglion cells. The plexiform layers are the sites of synaptic connections, not cell bodies. So the layer that contains the photoreceptor cell bodies is the outer nuclear layer.