The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop inthe vertebrate embryo. Embryonic growth and differentiation essentially dependon tra... » 

The cardiovascular system is the first functional organ system to develop inthe vertebrate embryo. Embryonic growth and differentiation essentially dependon transport of nutrients and waste through the early vasculature and certainevents in morphogenesis are thought to be influenced by the hemodynamic forcesof the beating heart. The vasculature not only serves as a nutrient and wastepipeline but is also a major communication system between distant organs andtissues. The vascular endothelial cell mediates vascular growth permeabilityintegrity and interactions with blood cells. In most tissues the endotheliumitself is highly specialized to meet the particular needs of the tissue interms of quality and quantity of incoming and outgoing molecules andmessages.The areas covered by Morphogenesis of the Endothelium include theformation of blood vessels in embryonic tissues by vasculogenesis andangiogenesis and the differentiation of endothelium in organs. The contributorsare leaders in the field of cardiovascular development biology and pathologyand have written up to date chapters on the mechanisms of blood vesselformation and function in embryos and the adult. «