Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and an abnormal response of vascular walls to various injuries. Although there are many factors affecting atherosclerosis, the role of lymphatics in atherosclerosis has been neglected. Lymphatic vessels are the channels through which the interstitial fluid is returned to the blood circulation. Although a large number of lymphatic vessels have been found in atherosclerotic lesions, the relationship between the two is unclear. Recent studies have found that lymphatic vessels not only participate in the induction and solution of arterial inflammation, but also play an active role in cholesterol transport in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, improving lymphatic function or promoting local induction of lymphangiogenesis may reduce the progression of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is important to study the relationship between lymphatic vessels and development of atherosclerosis. This review article focuses on the relationship between lymphatic vessels and atherosclerosis, including inflammation, reverse cholesterol transport and immunity, in order to provide a new perspective for the study of intervention strategies for atherosclerosis.