The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. It contains many different types of cells, each with a specific job to do. This magnified view of a mouse retina shows two types of cells found in the retina: retinal ganglion cells (light blue) send visual information from the eye to the brain, and immune cells called microglia (red) fight pathogens, clean up damaged cells, and help maintain connections between neurons.
Alexis Wnuk
Alexis is the science writer and editor for BrainFacts.org. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012 with degrees in neuroscience and English.
BrainFacts/SfN
Hilla AM, Diekmann H, Fischer D. Microglia are irrelevant for neuronal degeneration and axon regeneration after acute injury. The Journal of Neuroscience. 37 (25) 6113-6124 (2017).
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