Lymph was collected from a vessel in the hilar region of the kidney in 33 dogs. Care was taken to leave other renal lymphatics undisturbed. Renal lymph and urine were collected continuously and arterial blood periodically. The renal lymph-to-arterial plasma ratios of all endogenous substances measured were essentially unity except urea, total protein, and calcium, whose ratios were less than one. Intravenously infused PAH and inulin appeared in renal lymph in concentrations of 58 and 80%, respectively, of their concentrations in arterial plasma. In five dogs, both hilar and capsular lymph was collected simultaneously. Sodium concentrations were similar in these samples and in neither was sodium more concentrated than in arterial plasma.

No abstract

A method was developed for the demonstration of intrarenal lymphatics by the retrograde injection of contrast medium directly into capsular or hilar lymphatic trunks. Utilizing this method in the dog, intrarenal lymphatics were found to be distributed primarily along arcuate blood vessels and in interlobular spaces with small branches closely associated with Bowman’s capsule. These lymphatic vessels were found to be continuous with both capsular and hilar lymphatic trunks. Data derived from a horse and a calf support the findings in dog concerning periglomerular lymphatics and the interlobular distribution respectively. Although this study does not preclude the existance of medullary lymphatics, we have never observed injected lymphatics in this area. On the basis of the lymphatic distribution found in this study, renal lymph is derived primarily from fluid formed in the periarterial spaces along with a component derived from the immediate vicinity of Bowman’s capsule.