Interstitial handling of aminoglycoside antibiotics and radiographic contrast media in the kidney.

Lymphatics of the mammalian kidney originate in the loose connective tissue around large blood vessels. This paravasal tissue drains the interstitum. The intarenal lymphatic system consists of interlobular, arcuate, and interlobar vessels according to the architecture of the arterial system. The interlobar vessels drain into the hilar lymph vessels. Capsular lymphatics are connected with the interlobular lymphatics inconsistantly. The renal medulla is drained by the venous vasa recta exclusively--there are no lymphaties in the medulla. Lymphatic fluid is mainly formed along the small renal veins as vascular transudate. After i.v. bolus injection concentrations of aminoglycosidic antibiotics in renal lymph reflect plasma values closely. Radiographic contrast media in renal lymph also showed a close correlation with plasma values with some indication of tubular secretion.