[Functional and topographic anatomy of the lymph heart and lymphatic system in the pelvic region of water-fowl and ratite birds].

The topography of the lymph system and of the lymph heart can be determined by injections of India ink, Berlin blue, Latex or contrast media. For the direct injection of marker medium into the lymphatic system of adult male birds, the lymphatic copulatory organ was chosen. In embryos and chicks, the foot pads are suited for an indirect injection of marker medium. Following the injections, the marker medium was passed on to the lymph heart via the lymph vessels of the pelvic limbs and by the truncus thoracoabdominalis. Efferent lymph vessels of the lymph heart empty into the pelvic venous system and into the lymphovenous sinus durae matris. The lymphovenous sinus durae matris is also suited for the injections to visualize the lymph heart. The formation of lymph and the course it takes to erect the lymphatic copulatory organ is described.