Summary
The distribution of lymph vessels in the human testis was investigated using ink injection methods, and light and electron microscopy. Lymph capillaries occur in the septula testis but are absent in the intertubular tissue. They consist of endothelial cells provided with an incomplete basal lamina and anchoring filaments of the adjacent connective tissue. Frequently, the endothelial cells are separated by gaps measuring up to 2μm. The lymph capillaries of the septula testis are connected to lymph vessels in the rete testis and tunica albuginea. These vessels have occasional smooth muscle cells and valves. At the posterior margin of the testis, the network of lymph vessels merges into collecting ducts, which together with vessels derived from the rete testis are drained by the lymphatic system in the spermatic cord.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Azzali, G.: Ultrastruttura del capillare e del vaso linfatico e loro gradiente di permeabilitá. Acta Bio-Med. 47, 24–25 (1976)
Brzezinski, D.K. von: Neue Befunde mit einer verbesserten Darstellung experimentell aufgefüllter Lymphkapillaren an Niere, Hoden-Nebenhoden, Dünn- und Dickdarm. Anat. Anz. 113, 289–306 (1963)
Casley-Smith, J.R.: Electron microscopical observation on the dilated lymphatics in oedematous regions and their collapse following hyaluronidase administration. Br. J. Exp. Pathol. 48, 680–686 (1967)
Casley-Smith, J.R.: Lymph and lymphatics. In: Microcirculation Vol. I, (G. Kaley and B.M. Altura, eds.) pp. 423–502. Balimore: Univ. Park Press 1977
Collan, Y., Kalima, T.V.: The lymphatic pump of the intestinal villus of the rat. Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 5, 187–196 (1970)
Comparini L., Fruschelli, C., Bastianini, A. and Pompucci, P.: Morfologia microscopica e struttura del sistema vascolare linfatico. Atti Soc. it. Anat., Arch., ital. Anat. Embryol. (Berl.) [Suppl.] 78, 1–61 (1973)
Fawcett, D.W., Heidger, P.M., Leak, L.V.: Lymph vascular system of the interstitial tissue of the testis as revealed by electron microscopy. J. Reprod. Fertil. 19, 109–119 (1969)
Fawcett, D.W., Neaves, W.B., Flores, M.N.: Comparative observations on the intertubular lymphatics and the organization of the interstitial tissue of the mammalian testis. Biol. Reprod. 9, 500–532 (1973)
Fazzari, I.: La vascolarizzazione del testicolo. In: Giornale di scienze naturali ed economische, Vol. 37, Scuola Tipografica “Boccone del Povero”, Palermo 1933
Gerster, R.: Über die Lymphgefäße des Hodens. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 2, 36–53 (1876)
Grau, H., Karpf, A.: Das innere Lymphgefäßsystem des Hodens. Zentralbl. Veterinaermed. [A] 10, 553–558 (1963)
Horstmann, E.: Über die funktionelle Struktur der mesenterialen Lymphgefäße. Morphol. Jb. 91, 483–510 (1951)
Horstmann, E.: Das Lymphgefäßsystem der Haut. Fette-Seifen-Anstrichmittel 68, 379–383 (1966)
Horstmann, E.: Anatomie und Physiologie des Lymphgefäßsystems im Bauchraum. In: Aktuelle Gastroenterologie, (H. Bartelheimer and N. Heisig, eds.) pp. 26–33. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag 1968a
Horstmann, E.: Die Lymphgefäße. In: Bild der Wissenschaft, (H. Haber, ed.) pp. 764–773. Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlagsanstalt 1968b
Hundeiker, M.: Lymphgefäße im Parenchym des menschlichen Hodens. Versuch einer Darstellung durch Injektion. Arch. Klin. Exp. Derm. 235, 271–276 (1969a)
Hundeiker, M.: Untersuchungen zur Darstellung der Lymphgefäße im Hodenparenchym beim Stier mit der Injektionsmethode. Andrologie 1, 113–117 (1969b)
Hundeiker, M., Keller, L.: Die Gefäßarchitektur des menschlichen Hodens. Morphol. Jb. 105, 26–73 (1963)
Ito, S., Winchester, R.J.: The fine structure of the gastric mucosa in the bat. J. Cell Biol. 16, 541–577 (1963)
Ivens, U.: Zur Morphologie und Funktion der Appendix testis. Andrologie 4, 245–258 (1972)
Leak, L.V.: Studies on the permeability of lymphatic capillaries. J. Cell Biol. 50, 300–323 (1971)
Leak, L.V.: The fine structure and function of the lymphatic vascular system. In: Handbuch der allgemeinen Pathologie, Lymphgefäßsystem III/6 (H.-W. Altmann et al. eds,), pp. 149–196 Berlin: Springer 1972
Leak, L.V., Burke, J.F.: Ultrastructural studies on the lymphatic anchoring filaments. J. Cell Biol. 36, 129–149 (1968)
Luft, J.H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961)
Ostroverchowa, V.G.: Macro-microscopic study of intra-organ lymphatic system of male gonad in man. Arkh. Anat. Gistol. Embriol. 39, 59–69 (1960)
Ottaviani, G.: Ricerche comparative su i tronchi colletori linfatici degli organi genitali maschili e ricerche comparative su i vasi linfatici della tunica albuginea del parenchima del testicolo dei mammiferi. Arch. Ital. Anat. Embriol. 29, 16–47 (1932)
Ottaviani, G., Azzali, G.: Ultrastructure of lymphatic vessels in some functional conditions. Acta Anat. [Suppl.] 56, 325–336 (1969)
Rényi-Vámos, F.: Das Lymphsystem des Hodens und Nebenhodens. Z. Urol. 48, 355–372 (1955)
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963)
Roosen-Runge, E.G.: Motions of the seminiferous tubules of rat and dog. Anat. Rec. 109, 413 (1951) (abstract)
Sapin, M., Satjukowa, G.: Die gegenwärtigen Methoden der Erforschung des Lymphgefäßsystems. Anat. Embryol. (Berl.) 149, 113–122 (1976)
Shdanow, D.A.: Nouvelles données sur la morphologie fonctionnelle du système lymphatique des glandes endocrines. Acta Anat. 41, 240–259 (1960)
Shdanow, D.A.: Zur Lösung der Streitfragen über die funktionelle Morphologie des Lymphgefäßsystems. Anat. Anz. 111, 17–50 (1962)
Staudt, J., Wenzel, J.: Untersuchungen über das Lymphgefäßsystem des Kaninchenhodens. Z. Mikrosk. Anat. Forsch. 73, 59–72 (1965)
Venable, J.H., Coggeshall, R.: A simplified lead citrate stain for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 25, 407–408 (1965)
Watson, P.D., Grodins, F.S.: An analysis of the effects of the interstitial matrix on plasma-lymph transport. Microvasc. Res. 16, 19–41 (1978)
Wenzel, J., Kellermann, P.: Vergleichende Untersuchungen über das Lymphgefäßsystem des Nebenhodens und Hodens von Mensch, Hund und Kaninchen. Z. Mikrosk. Anat. Forsch. 75, 368–387 (1966)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dedicated to Prof. Henriette Oboussier, Hamburg, on the occasion of her 65th birthday
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Holstein, A.F., Orlandini, G.E. & Möller, R. Distribution and fine structure of the lymphatic system in the human testis. Cell Tissue Res. 200, 15–27 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236883
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236883