The Inner Nuclear Layer is
the fifth (5th) of the layers
forming the retina
of the human eye that light reaches after entering the eye: That is, after
light from outside the body enters the eye through it's main structures
of the cornea,
aqueous
humour, pupil,
lens,
etc..
The retina is composed of several layers which, together, form the "screen"
in the eye onto which an image of the area viewed by the eye is formed,
and information about that image is segmented into packets of information
that are passed to the visual cortex of the brain via the optic
nerve.
The Inner Nuclear Layer consists
of three different types of cells that are packed closely together.
These three types of cells are: |
|
(1.) |
Oval-shaped Bipolar Nerve Cells
These consist of a large oval-shaped "body" containing
a distinct nucleous. They are each surrounded by a quantity of protoplasm
that extends into two processes, in each case one of these processes
extends into the inner
molecular layer (layer 4) of the retina where it tapers off
to a single end-point, while the other extends into the outer
molecular layer (layer 6) of the retina where it divides into
multiple branches. Some texts classify the bipolar nerve cells as
"rod-bipolars" and "cone-bipolars".
Bipolar Nerve Cells are most numerous of the three types of cells
found in the
Inner Nuclear Layer of the retina. |
(2.) |
The central layer (or "stratum") of the Inner
Nuclear Layer contains cells called amacrine cells that
are characterized by their lack of axis-cylinder process, and which
extend into the inner molecular layer. Some other cells within this
sub-layer are called the "horizontal cells of Cajal" and
extend in the opposite direction into the outer molecular layer. |
(3.) |
There are also a few cells in the Inner Nuclear Layer
that are associated with the Fibres of Müller. |
For more information about related subjects see:
*_ Structure
& Components of the Eye,
*_ Components
of the Central Nervous System,
*_ The
Pathway of a Nerve Impulse,
*_ Structures
and Functions of Neurones,
*_ Diseases
and Disorders of the Nervous System,
*_ Text
books about Ophthalmology.
|
|
|
