In addition to its role in tumors, angiogenesis occurs normally in the human body at specific times in development and growth. For example, a developing child in a mother's womb must create the vast network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that are found in the human body. A process called vasculogenesis creates the primary network of vascular endothelial cells that will become major blood vessels. Later on, angiogenesis remodels this network into the small new blood vessels or capillaries that complete the child's circulatory system.

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