Inner layer of eyeball
Tunica interna bulbi oculi
- Synonym: Retina
Definition
The inner layer of the eyeball is the retina, a light-sensitive neural tissue that converts light into neural signals. It comprises:
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE): supports photoreceptors, absorbs stray light, and regulates metabolic exchange
Neural retina: contains rods (dimlight vision) and cones (colour vision and visual acuity)
The retina is firmly attached at the optic disc and ora serrata, but loosely elsewhere, making it prone to retinal detachment.
References
Nguyen KH, Patel BC, Tadi P. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Retina. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542332/
Standring, S. (Ed.). (2015). Eye (Chapter 42). In Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice (41st ed., pp. ). Churchill Livingstone.