The connections between horizontal cells and photoreceptors in the retina of the cat: electron microscopy of Golgi preparations

Electron microscopy of Golgi preparations reveals that the dendritic terminals of horizontal cells in the cat's retina are connected only to cones. The axon terminals of these horizontal cells connect exclusively to rods. Dendritic and axonal terminals of horizontal cells penetrate the photoreceptor endings to become lateral elements of the invaginations. In addition this study suggests that each cone is in contact with more than one horizontal cell and that each rod connects to more than one axon terminal system. The horizontal cells of the cat are similar to those of the rhesus monkey in that the rod and cone connections are segregated to different portions of these cells.