Dissections reveal that each lymphatic organ characteristic of species is supplied with lymph hearts, smooth muscles, or striated muscles whose contractions (along with tranmitted arterial pulsations and changing gravitational forces) coordinately propel lymph centrally during breathing, swallowing, food absorption and joint flexion. In aquatic vertebrates and amphibians lymph hearts, closely related to the gills, propel central lymph into the jugular veins. In aerial vertebrates with well-developed lungs, the striated muscles which enable ventilation, propel central lymph into large veins coursing through the thoracic inlet at rates commensurate with oxygen consumption under normal conditions.
解剖显示，每种具有物种特征的淋巴器官都配有淋巴心、平滑肌或横纹肌，其收缩（连同传递的动脉搏动和变化的重力）在呼吸、吞咽、食物吸收和关节弯曲时协同地将淋巴向中央推进。在水生脊椎动物和两栖动物中，与鳃密切相关的淋巴心将中央淋巴推进颈静脉。在肺部发达的陆生脊椎动物中，使肺部通气的横纹肌以与正常情况下耗氧量相称的速率将中央淋巴推进穿过胸廓入口的大静脉。
