Coalescent angiogenesis

Coalescent angiogenesis. In the capillary mesh, capillaries fuse to form a larger vessel to increase blood flow. This picture was provided by Bianca Nitzsche and Axel Pries, Berlin, Germany

Angiogenesis is the process of the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vascular structures, which is needed for oxygenation of - and providing nutrients to - expanding tissue. Angiogenesis takes place through different modes of action. Coalescent angiogenesis is a mode of angiogenesis where vessels coalesce or fuse to increase blood circulation. This process transforms an inefficient net structure into a more efficient treelike structure. It is the opposite of intussusceptive angiogenesis, which is where vessels split to form new vessels.