[Lymphatic system of the human testis].

The distribution of lymph vessels in the human testis was investigated using ink injection methods, 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 bound by anchoring filaments to the adjacent connective tissue. Frequently, the endothelial cells are separated by gaps (measuring up to 2 microns). 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 lymphatics merges into collecting ducts that together with vessels derived from the rete testis are drained by lymphatics in the spermatic cord.