Which of the following correctly lists the layers of the retina beginning with the retinal pigment epithelium and moving anteriorly?

The correct listing begins with the retinal pigment epithelium, followed by the photoreceptor layer. The distinction made in this order is essential because the retinal pigment epithelium supports the photoreceptors in various ways, such as recycling visual pigments and providing nutrients.

Next, the external limiting membrane comes into play, acting as a barrier between the photoreceptors and the outer nuclear layer, where the cell bodies of the photoreceptors reside. Following this is the outer nuclear layer, which consists primarily of the nuclei of rods and cones. The outer plexiform layer follows, where synapses occur between photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and horizontal cells, facilitating the beginning of visual processing.

Then, the inner nuclear layer contains the cell bodies of the bipolar, horizontal, and amacrine cells. The inner plexiform layer is where synaptic interactions happen between these cells and ganglion cells. The ganglion cell layer then contains the cell bodies of the ganglion cells themselves.

Finally, the nerve fiber layer consists of the axons of the ganglion cells, which converge to form the optic nerve, and the internal limiting membrane is the innermost layer, separating the retina from the vitreous body.

This order accurately reflects the layers