Anatomy

Photoreceptor Cells

Specialized cells that detect and transduce light. They are classified into two types based on their light reception structure, the ciliary photoreceptors and the rhabdomeric photoreceptors with MICROVILLI. Ciliary photoreceptor cells use OPSINS that activate a PHOSPHODIESTERASE phosphodiesterase cascade. Rhabdomeric photoreceptor cells use opsins that activate a PHOSPHOLIPASE C cascade.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Specialized cells that detect and transduce light. They are classified into two types based on their light reception structure, the ciliary photoreceptors and the rhabdomeric photoreceptors with MICROVILLI. Ciliary photoreceptor cells use OPSINS that activate a PHOSPHODIESTERASE phosphodiesterase cascade. Rhabdomeric photoreceptor cells use opsins that activate a PHOSPHOLIPASE C cascade.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

23 entry terms
  • Cell, Photoreceptor
  • Cells, Photoreceptor
  • Photoreceptor Cell
  • Ciliary Photoreceptor Cells
  • Ciliary Photoreceptors
  • Rhabdomeric Photoreceptor Cells
  • Rhabdomeric Photoreceptors
  • Cell, Ciliary Photoreceptor
  • Cell, Rhabdomeric Photoreceptor
  • Cells, Ciliary Photoreceptor
  • Cells, Rhabdomeric Photoreceptor
  • Ciliary Photoreceptor
  • Ciliary Photoreceptor Cell
  • Photoreceptor Cell, Ciliary
  • Photoreceptor Cell, Rhabdomeric
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Ciliary
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Rhabdomeric
  • Photoreceptor, Ciliary
  • Photoreceptor, Rhabdomeric
  • Photoreceptors, Ciliary
  • Photoreceptors, Rhabdomeric
  • Rhabdomeric Photoreceptor
  • Rhabdomeric Photoreceptor Cell

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; prefer specifics

MeSH Record

History Note

2009 (1971)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Receptors, Sensory (1966-1970)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A08w.675w.650w.850.625w
  2. A08w.675w.650w.915w.937w
  3. A08w.800w.950w.937w
  4. A09w.371w.729w.831.625w
  5. A11w.671w.650w.850.625w
  6. A11w.671w.650w.915w.937w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WL 102.9

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Photoreceptor Cells. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010786. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010786
  2. Photoreceptor Cells. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreceptor_cell
  3. Photoreceptor Cells. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q748049