Retina horizontal cell

Retina Horizontal Cell

File:Retina horizontal cell.jpg

A diagram of the retina horizontal cell

The Retina Horizontal Cell is a type of neuron found in the retina of the eye. These cells are responsible for integrating and regulating the input from multiple photoreceptor cells, contributing to the visual process of lateral inhibition.

Function

Retina horizontal cells receive input from photoreceptor cells and provide feedback to them, helping to regulate their output. This feedback mechanism is crucial for the process of lateral inhibition, which enhances the contrast between light and dark areas in the visual field, improving the overall quality of the visual image.

Structure

Retina horizontal cells are interconnected in a network that spans the retina. They have a flattened, horizontal shape, hence their name. The cell body is located in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, while their dendrites and axons extend into the outer plexiform layer, where they form synapses with photoreceptor cells and bipolar cells.

Types

There are two main types of retina horizontal cells: H1 and H2. H1 cells are connected to cone cells, while H2 cells are connected to both cone cells and rod cells. The two types of cells have different shapes and functions, contributing to the complexity of the visual processing in the retina.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities in the function or structure of retina horizontal cells can lead to various visual disorders. For example, mutations in the genes that regulate the development and function of these cells have been linked to certain forms of congenital stationary night blindness.

See Also

• Photoreceptor cell
• Lateral inhibition
• Inner nuclear layer
• Outer plexiform layer