The Henle fiber layer is described as containing what?

• A. Blood vessels
• B. Retinal pigment epithelium
• C. Photoreceptor outer segments
• D. Cell nuclei of photoreceptors

Answer: (B)

The Henle fiber layer is defined by the obliquely oriented axons of photoreceptors as they course toward the outer plexiform layer, particularly around the fovea. This arrangement gives it a distinct appearance in OCT. It does not contain blood vessels, the retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor outer segments, or photoreceptor cell bodies. The retinal pigment epithelium sits outside the neural retina, forming a separate layer beneath the photoreceptors, and the photoreceptor outer segments lie adjacent to the RPE, while their cell bodies are in the outer nuclear layer. So, the Henle fiber layer reflects the axonal portion of photoreceptors rather than any of the other components listed.