retina

n. the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye. A layer of neurons lines the inner surface of the back of the eye and provides the sensory signals required for vision. The retina contains the photoreceptors—that is, the retinal rods and retinal cones—as well as additional neurons that process the signals of the photoreceptors and convey an output signal to the brain by way of the optic nerve. This inner layer of the retina is sometimes called the neural retina, to distinguish it from the retinal pigment epithelium, which abuts the tips of the photoreceptors. See also amacrine cell; retinal bipolar cell; retinal horizontal cell; retinal ganglion cell.

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Psychology term of the day

February 23rd 2025

pseudomemory

n. a fake memory, such as a spurious recollection of events that never took place, as opposed to a memory that is merely inaccurate. Pseudomemory is a cause of particular concern when using hypnosis to help eyewitnesses retrieve memories (see hypermnesia). It was formerly called pseudomnesia. See also confabulation; false memory; recovered memory.