The following structures or layers, from the vitreous body (Vi) down to the choroid (K), are identified:

1. Basement membrane at the surface of the retina
2. Layer of optic nerve fibres seen here in cross section (compare with Figure 18.28). Note the presence of the nuclei of neuroglia (red arrows).
3. Ganglion cell layer
4. Inner plexiform layer
5. Inner nuclear layer
6. Outer plexiform layer. The acidophilic plaques ( blue arrowhead) at the borderline between this layer and the inner nuclear layer are areas of synaptic connections.
7. Outer nuclear layer
8. Thin acidophilic layer corresponding to the zones of adhesions between processes of Müller’s fibres and rods and cones (see Figure 18.25)
9. Layer of cones, with their large acidophilic ellipsoidal extremities, and layers of filiform rods
10. Layer of pigmented epithelial cells. These protective cells eliminate by phagocytosis the desquamating extremities of the rods and cones.
11. Choroid with melanocytes

Stain: H–­­E
Magnification: ×350