Which layer of the retina contains the cell nuclei of photoreceptors?

Which layer of the retina contains the cell nuclei of photoreceptors?

• A. Inner plexiform layer
• B. Ganglion cell layer
• C. Bruch's membrane
• D. Outer nuclear layer

Answer: (D)

Photoreceptors' cell bodies reside in the outer nuclear layer. This layer is defined by containing the nuclei of the rods and cones, while their outer segments extend toward the outer retina near the RPE. The outer plexiform layer lies just distal to it where photoreceptors form synapses with bipolar and horizontal cells, and the inner nuclear layer contains the nuclei of bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, and Müller cells. Bruch's membrane is part of the choroid-retina interface, not a retinal cell-body layer. So the layer that houses photoreceptor nuclei is the outer nuclear layer.

Photoreceptors' cell bodies reside in the outer nuclear layer. This layer is defined by containing the nuclei of the rods and cones, while their outer segments extend toward the outer retina near the RPE. The outer plexiform layer lies just distal to it where photoreceptors form synapses with bipolar and horizontal cells, and the inner nuclear layer contains the nuclei of bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, and Müller cells. Bruch's membrane is part of the choroid-retina interface, not a retinal cell-body layer. So the layer that houses photoreceptor nuclei is the outer nuclear layer.