TY - JOUR
T1 - Microvascular architecture of the pampiniform plexus‐testicular artery system in the rat
T2 - A scanning electron microscope study of corrosion casts
AU - Ohtsuka, Aiji
PY - 1984/3
Y1 - 1984/3
N2 - The vascular architecture of the rat pampiniform plexus was studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The plexus consists of a thick bundle of many anastomosing veins that entirely and closely surround the convoluted segments of the testicular artery. This specially developed close contact of the pampiniform plexus with the testicular artery may allow heat exchange between the plexus and the artery to maintain the cooled condition of the testis. The epididymal arteries are also closely surrounded by the networks of the epididymal veins. It is likely that heat exchange may operate even between these epididymal vessels. The ductus deferens is provided with no vascular channels for such heat exchange. A loose or coarse capillary network is always observed between the testicular artery and the pampiniform plexus. This network is supplied by the epididymal arteries and drains into the pampiniform plexus.
AB - The vascular architecture of the rat pampiniform plexus was studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The plexus consists of a thick bundle of many anastomosing veins that entirely and closely surround the convoluted segments of the testicular artery. This specially developed close contact of the pampiniform plexus with the testicular artery may allow heat exchange between the plexus and the artery to maintain the cooled condition of the testis. The epididymal arteries are also closely surrounded by the networks of the epididymal veins. It is likely that heat exchange may operate even between these epididymal vessels. The ductus deferens is provided with no vascular channels for such heat exchange. A loose or coarse capillary network is always observed between the testicular artery and the pampiniform plexus. This network is supplied by the epididymal arteries and drains into the pampiniform plexus.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0021336791&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0021336791&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/aja.1001690305
DO - 10.1002/aja.1001690305
M3 - Article
C2 - 6720616
AN - SCOPUS:0021336791
VL - 169
SP - 285
EP - 293
JO - American Journal of Anatomy
JF - American Journal of Anatomy
SN - 1058-8388
IS - 3
ER -