Patterns of efferent lymphatics of the rabbit testis.

The present study examined the courses of testicular efferent lymphatics in the rabbit, by injections of India ink directly into testicular parenchyma. In 58% of the testes examined, testicular efferent lymphatics were observed to course along the testicular artery to the lumbar trunk. In other testes, efferent lymphatics were found along the testicular artery as well as along either the ductus deferens (26%) or cremasteric muscle (8%). In the remaining 8% of the testes, efferent lymphatics were found along the testicular artery, ductus deferens, and cremasteric muscle. These findings demonstrate that testicular efferent lymphatics in the rabbit course not only along the testicular artery, but also along the ductus deferens and/or cremasteric artery in about 40% of the testes.