wˌɛn sˈiːn ɪn sˈɛkʃən, ˈiːtʃ sˈɛl kənsˈɪsts əvən ˈaʊɾɚ nˈɑːnpɪɡmˈɛntɪd pˈɑːɹt kəntˈeɪnɪŋ ɐ lˈɑːɹdʒ ˈoʊvəl nˈuːklɪəs ænd ɐn ˈɪnɚ pɪɡmˈɛntɪd pˈoːɹʃən wˌɪtʃ ɛkstˈɛndz æz ɐ sˈɪɹiz ʌv stɹˈeɪt θɹˈɛdlˈaɪk pɹˈɑːsɛsᵻz bᵻtwˌiːn ðə ɹˈɑːdz, ðɪs bˌiːɪŋ ɪspˈɛʃəli ðə kˈeɪs wɛn ðɪ ˈaɪ ɪz ɛkspˈoʊzd tə lˈaɪt.
When seen in section, each cell consists of an outer non-pigmented part containing a large oval nucleus and an inner pigmented portion which extends as a series of straight thread-like processes between the rods, this being especially the case when the eye is exposed to light.