photoreceptor
Light-Sensing Cell
Plain-language definition
Specialized retinal cells - rods (dim light, peripheral vision) and cones (color, central detail) - that convert light into electrical signals.
Where this term comes up
“Geographic atrophy is an advanced form of dry AMD in which patches of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors have atrophied.”
Condition · Geographic Atrophy
“It evaluates the function of photoreceptors (rods and cones) and other retinal cells.”
Test · ERG (Electroretinogram)
“Through the retina (photoreceptors and ganglion cells)”
- Category
- Anatomy
- Also written as
- photoreceptors
Anatomy terms name the eye, orbit, optic nerve, retina, or visual pathway structures that may appear in an exam note or imaging report.
Related glossary terms
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.