Which option correctly lists the major relay stations from photoreceptors to the primary visual cortex?

Which option correctly lists the major relay stations from photoreceptors to the primary visual cortex?

• A. Photoreceptors -> Horizontal cells -> Bipolar cells -> Lateral geniculate nucleus -> Visual cortex.
• B. Photoreceptors -> Rods -> Cones -> Optic radiations -> Primary visual cortex.
• C. Photoreceptors -> Bipolar cells -> Ganglion cells -> Optic nerve -> Chiasm -> Optic tract -> LGN -> Optic radiations -> Primary visual cortex.
• D. Photoreceptors -> Ganglion cells -> Optic nerve -> Visual cortex.

Answer: (C)

From the retina to the visual cortex, the signal passes through a precise relay chain: photoreceptors feed into bipolar cells, which activate ganglion cells. The ganglion cell axons bundle to form the optic nerve, which exits the eye. At the optic chiasm, fibers from the nasal retina cross to the opposite side, and the signal continues as the optic tract to the lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus. From there, the information travels through the optic radiations to reach the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe. This sequence—retina photoreceptors to bipolar cells to ganglion cells, then optic nerve, chiasm, tract, LGN, radiations, and finally the primary visual cortex—includes the major relay stations and the correct order. It avoids retinal interneurons as separate relay steps and includes the LGN and radiations, which are essential parts of the pathway.

From the retina to the visual cortex, the signal passes through a precise relay chain: photoreceptors feed into bipolar cells, which activate ganglion cells. The ganglion cell axons bundle to form the optic nerve, which exits the eye. At the optic chiasm, fibers from the nasal retina cross to the opposite side, and the signal continues as the optic tract to the lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus. From there, the information travels through the optic radiations to reach the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe. This sequence—retina photoreceptors to bipolar cells to ganglion cells, then optic nerve, chiasm, tract, LGN, radiations, and finally the primary visual cortex—includes the major relay stations and the correct order. It avoids retinal interneurons as separate relay steps and includes the LGN and radiations, which are essential parts of the pathway.