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The distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the north american opossum ( Didelphis virginiana )
Author(s) -
Rapaport David H.,
Wilson Paul D.,
Rowe Michael H.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901990403
Subject(s) - opossum , retina , biology , ganglion , cresyl violet , didelphis , soma , retinal , anatomy , giant retinal ganglion cells , parasol cell , retinal ganglion cell , neuroscience , staining , genetics , biochemistry
The distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the opossum was determined from whole‐mounted retinae stained with cresyl violet. Isodensity lines were approximately circular with a peak density of 2,000 to 2,700 cells/mm 2 in superior temporal retina (area centralis). The total number of retinal ganglion cells was estimated to be 72,000 to 135,000 (mean 101,026) in retinae ranging from 125 to 187 mm 2 in total area. Three groups of ganglion cells were distinguished on the basis of soma size and retinal topography. Large cells (24 to 32 μm diameter) were fairly evenly distributed across the retina. Medium cells (12 to 23 μm diameter) were more numerous in the superior temporal quadrant than in other regions of the retina. Small cells (7 to 11 μm diameter) were prominent in all retinal regions, but particularly in nasal and inferior retina. An analysis of topographical differences in soma size distribution suggests that the medium size cells can be further subdivided into small‐medium and large‐medium groups.