Correct spelling for the English word "nuclear layer" is [njˈuːkli͡ə lˈe͡ɪə], [njˈuːkliə lˈeɪə], [n_j_ˈuː_k_l_iə l_ˈeɪ_ə] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
The term "nuclear layer" refers to a distinct stratum or region within the anatomical structure of certain tissues, particularly in the context of biology and medicine. The nuclear layer is characterized by the presence of cell nuclei organized in a particular arrangement.
In the field of histology, the nuclear layer commonly refers to the layer found within the retina of the eye. This specific nuclear layer is composed of cell nuclei belonging to the bipolar cells, horizontal cells, and amacrine cells. It is situated between the outer plexiform layer and the ganglion cell layer. These cells play a crucial role in transmitting visual signals from the photoreceptor cells to the ganglion cells, which ultimately leads to the formation of visual perception.
Additionally, the term "nuclear layer" can also extend to other tissues or organs throughout the body, such as the cerebral cortex, where the nuclear layer represents the stratum of cells containing neuronal cell bodies. Other examples include the nuclear layer of the cerebellum, a structure involved in motor coordination, or the nuclear layer of the adrenal cortex, associated with steroid hormone production.
Overall, the nuclear layer serves as a distinct organizational region within various tissues, featuring a concentration of cell nuclei with specific functions, and its understanding is essential for comprehending the cellular architecture and function of these tissues in the human body.
Stratum nucleare.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word nuclear in the context of the nuclear layer is derived from the Latin word nucleus, meaning kernel or core. It was originally used to describe the central part of a cell, where the genetic material is located. In the context of the retina, the nuclear layer refers to a layer of the retina that contains the cell bodies of certain neurons called bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and horizontal cells. These cell bodies have a round or oval shape, resembling a nucleus, which led to the name nuclear layer.