Why does the bottom of tranny look like a maze?

[Hose92SVX]

Something I've never understood is why the bottom of a transmission looks like a maze. I think my motorcycle's gearbox doesn't look like that, nor does the bottom of my semi's transmission. At least I think. I've come up with all kinds of stupid reasons in my head but the only thing I can think of is that it has something to do with oil pressure. I know this is a SVX specific site but I don't know where else to ask a general tranmission question. Thanks, Adam

[Earthworm]

It has to do only with automatic transmissions.

[SomethingElse]

Fluid travels down certain paths in certain gears, check balls and pressure regulators etc contol the flow. New transmisisons use solenoids so there arent near as many "mazes"

[Hose92SVX]

Oh, Ok. I was kinda on the right track but thanks for clearing it up for me.