rod cell

Neuroanatomy A retinal photoreceptor for colourless low-light vision
Neuropathology A modified microglial cell that increases in size and number in paretic dementia (3º syphilis) and subacute encephalitides (e.g., encephalitis lethargica and cerebral trypanosomiasis)

rod

(rod)

1. A straight, slender, cylindric structure or device. For surgical rods, see nail;pin

2. The photosensitive, outward-directed process of a rhodopsin-containing rod cell in the external granular layer of the retina; many millions of such rods, together with the cones, form the photoreceptive layer of rods and cones.
Synonym(s): rod cell.

[A.S. rōd]

rod

or

rod cell

a rod-shaped, light-sensitive cell lying in the more peripheral parts of the RETINA in the vertebrate eye. Rods are particularly associated with vision under conditions of low illumination and they occur in large numbers in nocturnal animals. They are not capable of colour discrimination and their visual acuity is poor (compare CONE CELL). RHODOPSIN (visual purple) is found in rods. There are some 240 million rods in the retinas of a primate.see RETINAL CONVERGENCE.

rod

(rod)

1. A straight, slender, cylindric structure or device.

2. The photosensitive, outward-directed process of a rhodopsin-containing rod cell in the external granular layer of the retina.

[A.S. rōd]