Multi-tissue structure that is comprised of neural and non-neural epithelial layers which will form the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium of the mature eye[ZFA]. double walled structured formed by expansion and invagination of the distal end of the optic vesicle that develops into the pigmented and sensory layers of the retina while the mouth of the optic cup eventually forms the pupil of the eye[MP].
Comment:
[homology-note] "(...) an essentially similar sequence of events occurs during the embryonic development of the vertebrate eye. The eye initially develops as a single median evagination of the diencephalon that soon bifurcates to form the paired optic vesicles. As each optic vesicle grows towards the body surface, its proximal part narrows as the optic stalk, and its distal part invaginates to form a two-layered optic cup.[well established][VHOG]" xsd:string {date_retrieved="2012-09-17", external_class="VHOG:0000167", ontology="VHOG", source="ISBN:978-0030223693 Liem KF, Bemis WE, Walker WF, Grande L, Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates: An Evolutionary Perspective (2001) p.429", source="http://bgee.unil.ch/"}