Introduction

The heart, blood, and blood vessels make up the cardiovascular system.

Lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphoid organs constitute the lymphatic system.

Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

The heart circulates substances to and from tissue cells.

Blood is a mixture of plasma and cells.

Plasma transports dissolved substances. Red blood cells carry oxygen. White blood cells are involved in the body’s defense against infection.

The Human Cardiovascular System and Related Structures

Fluid that filters out of capillaries into spaces between tissue cells is called interstitial fluid.

Interstitial fluid enters lymph capillaries and is called lymph; vessels called lymphatics return lymph to the blood.

Lymph nodes contain fixed macrophages, B cells, and T cells.

The Relationship Between the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems