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Chapter One
Development of the Pulmonary
Endothelium in Development of the
Pulmonary Circulation: Vasculogenesis
and Angiogenesis
Margaret A. Schwarz and Ondine B. Cleaver
INTRODUCTION
Role of the Pulmonary Vasculature
The cardiovascular system, comprised of the heart and
blood vessels, is the first functional organ formed during
embryogenesis in higher vertebrates. In the mouse, the
heart and first vessels become functional as early as 8
days following fertilization, while in humans the cardiovascular
system forms after approximately 3 weeks of
development. Cardiovascular function is essential to the
survival of higher organisms, because every cell requires
nutrition, gas exchange, and elimination of wastes via
blood vessels. The primary site of gas exchange is
the vascular/alveolar interface, located deep within the
lung. Once blood is oxygenated in the lung, pumping
of the blood by the heart disperses oxygen-rich blood
throug ... read full excerpt from The Pulmonary Endothelium: Function in health and disease ebook
