The ganglion cell complex includes which retinal layers?

• A. Retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer
• B. Photoreceptor layer and RPE
• C. Inner nuclear layer only
• D. Outer plexiform layer only

Answer: (A)

The concept tested is identifying which retinal layers together form the ganglion cell complex. The GCC includes the retinal nerve fiber layer (the axons of ganglion cells), the ganglion cell layer (the cell bodies), and the inner plexiform layer (the dendrites and the synapses between bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells). These layers together encompass the cellular components and connections of the ganglion cells, which is why this trio is termed the ganglion cell complex.

The other options point to parts of the retina that are not part of the GCC: the photoreceptor layer with the RPE lies in the outer retina, the inner nuclear layer contains other cell bodies (bipolar, horizontal, amacrine), and the outer plexiform layer is where photoreceptors connect to bipolar/horizontal cells, not where ganglion cells reside.