Physiology

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. Essential for growth, wound healing, and unfortunately, tumor growth.

Used in the Books

This term appears in 1 chapter:

Scale and Complexity Fractal Geometry

"...), impairing gas exchange - oxygen delivery becomes insufficient for metabolic demands. Tumor vasculature: Tumors stimulate blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) to support rapid cell division, but tumor vessels don't follow Murray's Law - they branch chaotically, creating tortuous, leaky vessels with ineffic..."

Biological Context

Angiogenesis is tightly regulated—turned on for wound healing and growth, off otherwise. Tumors stimulate angiogenesis to secure blood supply; anti-angiogenesis drugs starve tumors of nutrients. Exercise promotes beneficial angiogenesis in muscles and heart.

Business Application

Organizational angiogenesis: building new distribution channels, supply lines, or communication pathways to support growth. Like biological angiogenesis, it should be controlled—uncontrolled infrastructure growth drains resources.

Related Terms

Capillary

Tags

physiologygrowthcancer