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Amacrine cells are a type of neuron found in the retina of the eye. They act as intermediaries, relaying messages between photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) and ganglion cells, whose axons form the optic nerve.123

These cells play a crucial role in the synaptic organization of the retina, specifically within the inner plexiform layer. Here, amacrine cells form horizontal interconnections between bipolar cells. This lateral communication allows activity in one part of the retina to influence neighboring areas.23

The convergence of signals from multiple photoreceptors onto single ganglion cells, facilitated by cells like amacrine cells, contributes to the retina's sensitivity and its ability to detect changes in light and movement.14

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