Biomaterial Database

The number and distribution of ganglion cells in the cat's retina. 1978

J Stone

The number of ganglion cells in the cat's retina, and the pattern of their distribution over the retina, have been reinvestigated. Criteria are presented for the identification of ganglion cells in Nissl-stained whole mounts, most particularly for the distinction between small ganglion cells and neuroglial cells, by reference to retinas with no ganglion cells (obtained by nerve section) and to areas to retina containing a population of only small ganglion cells (obtained by optic tract section). Using these criteria, the number of ganglion cells was counted in four retinas (mean total 116,250). The number of large or "giant" cells (presumably the somas of Y-cells and of alpha-cells) varied from 4,200 to 7,100. Overall these cells comprised 4.0-6.3% of the total ganglion cell population. Their distribution over the retina showed a concentration around the area centralis, with a localized minimum density at the area centralis, and a concentration in the visual streak. These concentrations of large cells were quantitatively less than the concentrations of smaller cells in the area centralis and visual streak, so that the relative frequency of large cells was minimal (mean 1.6%) at the area centralis and increased steadily up to 5.5-6.9% in peripheral retina. Their relative frequency was distinctly lower along the visual streak than in peripheral retina above or below the streak.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009410	Nerve Degeneration	Loss of functional activity and trophic degeneration of nerve axons and their terminal arborizations following the destruction of their cells of origin or interruption of their continuity with these cells. The pathology is characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. Often the process of nerve degeneration is studied in research on neuroanatomical localization and correlation of the neurophysiology of neural pathways.	Neuron Degeneration,Degeneration, Nerve,Degeneration, Neuron,Degenerations, Nerve,Degenerations, Neuron,Nerve Degenerations,Neuron Degenerations
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002452	Cell Count	The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample.	Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D003594	Cytoplasmic Granules	Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane.	Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D005724	Ganglia	Clusters of multipolar neurons surrounded by a capsule of loosely organized CONNECTIVE TISSUE located outside the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001369	Axons	Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body.	Axon