Which statement correctly describes retinal layering?

Which statement correctly describes retinal layering?

• A. The retina consists of a single neural layer.
• B. The retina has five layers with multiple synaptic layers.
• C. The retina contains three layers of cells with two synaptic layers in between.
• D. The retina is composed of two layers with only synapses on the surface.

Answer: (C)

The retina is organized in three layers of neuron cell bodies, with two thin synaptic layers between them, allowing the flow and processing of visual signals from light detection to output to the brain. The outer nuclear layer contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors, the inner nuclear layer houses the cell bodies of bipolar, horizontal, and amacrine cells, and the ganglion cell layer has the cell bodies of ganglion neurons. Between these are the outer plexiform layer, where photoreceptors connect with bipolar and horizontal cells, and the inner plexiform layer, where bipolar and amacrine cells connect with ganglion cells. This arrangement enables initial light transduction, modulation by interneurons, and eventual transmission to the brain via ganglion cell axons.

The retina is organized in three layers of neuron cell bodies, with two thin synaptic layers between them, allowing the flow and processing of visual signals from light detection to output to the brain. The outer nuclear layer contains the cell bodies of photoreceptors, the inner nuclear layer houses the cell bodies of bipolar, horizontal, and amacrine cells, and the ganglion cell layer has the cell bodies of ganglion neurons. Between these are the outer plexiform layer, where photoreceptors connect with bipolar and horizontal cells, and the inner plexiform layer, where bipolar and amacrine cells connect with ganglion cells. This arrangement enables initial light transduction, modulation by interneurons, and eventual transmission to the brain via ganglion cell axons.