The morphological types of ganglion cells of the domestic cat's retina

Abstract

1. Three distinct morphological types of cat retinal ganglion cells have been identified and categorized as α, β and γ. Alpha ganglion cells have dendritic field diameters from 180 to 1000 μm; β, about 25 to 300 μm; γ, 180 to 800 μm, possibly more. 2. The dimensions of the α and β ganglion cell dendritic fields increase monotonically from the central area outwards to the periphery; those of the γ cells do not. Seemingly a spectrum of sizes of the γ cells is found at most locations in the retina. 3. All three morphological types of ganglion cells are found in the central area. 4. Possible further anatomical types of ganglion cells are discussed. Correlations are suggested between the morphological category α cells and the physiological class Y cells; between β cells and the X cells and between the γ cells and the W cells.