Efferentengefäße

Efferentengefäße, also known as efferent ducts or efferent arterioles, are small blood vessels or lymphatic vessels that carry blood or lymph away from an organ or structure. The term is derived from the Latin word "effere," meaning to carry out or bring forth. In the context of the circulatory system, efferent arterioles are specifically the vessels that carry blood away from the glomerulus within the kidney's nephrons. These arterioles play a crucial role in regulating glomerular filtration pressure.

In the male reproductive system, efferent ducts connect the rete testis to the epididymis. They are responsible for transporting sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis for maturation and storage. These ducts are lined with a pseudostratified columnar epithelium that has ciliated cells, which help propel the sperm forward.

In the context of the lymphatic system, efferent lymphatic vessels carry lymph away from a lymph node. These vessels merge to form larger lymphatic trunks, which eventually drain into the bloodstream. The efferent lymphatic vessels are the primary route for lymphocytes and other immune cells to leave the lymph node and enter circulation, thus participating in the body's immune response. The structure and function of efferent vessels vary depending on their specific location and the system they belong to, but their common characteristic is the outward transport of fluid or cells.