[Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy studies on the retina of chick embryos in cell culture]

Histological and scanning electron microscopy studies (SEM) suggest a classification of neural elements into five main types: receptor cells, bipolar cells, horizontal, amacrine, and ganglion cells in dissociated cell cultures of the retina from 7 to 10 days old chick embryos. By use of SEM the development of the receptor cell inner segments was observed. At the same time many protrusions were noticed at the receptor cell surface. Specific synaptic contacts between the axons of the receptor cells and the dendrites of the bipolar neurons, as well as unspecific contacts between the pericarya of the receptor cells and other dendrites were demonstrated. The bipolar neurons showed smooth cell surfaces, however, the horizontal cells appeared rough on the cell surfaces. Müller cells were always found adjacent to the photoreceptor cells.