What does the Outer Nuclear Layer contain?

What does the Outer Nuclear Layer contain?

• A. The axons of ganglion cells
• B. The retinal pigment epithelium
• C. The cell nuclei of photoreceptors
• D. Blood vessels

Answer: (C)

The Outer Nuclear Layer specifically contains the cell bodies (nuclei) of the photoreceptors. These photoreceptors, which are rods and cones, have their cell bodies packed in this layer, with their inner and outer segments extending toward other retinal layers. The connections of photoreceptors with bipolar and horizontal cells occur in the outer plexiform layer, not in the ONL. The retinal pigment epithelium lies just outside the neural retina, the axons of ganglion cells are in the nerve fiber layer (not the ONL), and blood vessels are distributed through other retinal layers rather than being contained in the ONL.

The Outer Nuclear Layer specifically contains the cell bodies (nuclei) of the photoreceptors. These photoreceptors, which are rods and cones, have their cell bodies packed in this layer, with their inner and outer segments extending toward other retinal layers. The connections of photoreceptors with bipolar and horizontal cells occur in the outer plexiform layer, not in the ONL. The retinal pigment epithelium lies just outside the neural retina, the axons of ganglion cells are in the nerve fiber layer (not the ONL), and blood vessels are distributed through other retinal layers rather than being contained in the ONL.