---
title: "What is the difference between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis?"
url: "https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-the-difference-between-angiogenesis-and-vasculogenesis"
type: "question"
language: "en"
intent: "informational"
entity: "Angiogenesis"
topic: "SVF & Adipose-derived Cells"
published: "2026-09-18 07:10:23"
updated: "2026-10-08 09:18:06"
---

# What is the difference between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis?

## Short answer

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels from vessels that already exist, driven mainly by the endothelial cells that line them. It continues throughout life. Vasculogenesis is how the embryo first builds blood vessels from scratch, using precursor cells called angioblasts that develop from mesodermal stem cells. In short, vasculogenesis lays down the first network, and angiogenesis expands and remodels it.

## Answer

Both processes are described in the NCBI Bookshelf physiology text [2]. In adults, new vessel growth after injury, with exercise or in tumors is mainly angiogenesis.

### Stem cells in cosmetic surgery

In cosmetic surgery, "stem cell" procedures almost always use [adipose-derived stem cells](/entity/adipose-derived-stem-cell). The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which contains them, is separated from liposuctioned fat and mixed into the fat being grafted, as in [stem cell breast augmentation](/entity/stem-cell-breast-augmentation) and [stem cell fat grafting](/entity/stem-cell-fat-grafting).

## Related questions

- [Do stem cells improve fat graft survival through angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/do-stem-cells-improve-fat-graft-survival-through-angiogenesis)
- [What is VEGF and what does it do in angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-vegf-and-what-does-it-do-in-angiogenesis)
- [What are the side effects of angiogenesis inhibitors?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-are-the-side-effects-of-angiogenesis-inhibitors)
- [Why do tumors need angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/why-do-tumors-need-angiogenesis)

## Sources

1. [Angiogenesis Inhibitors (fact sheet)](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/angiogenesis-inhibitors-fact-sheet) — National Cancer Institute · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/146
2. [Overview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53238/) — Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/147
3. [Bevacizumab (StatPearls)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482126/) — StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/148
4. [Tumor Angiogenesis (editorial), Dudek AZ, Gupta K, Ramakrishnan S, Mukhopadhyay D. Journal of Oncology](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2945670/) — Journal of Oncology (Hindawi) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/149
5. [Treatments for Wet AMD (Advanced Neovascular AMD)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration/treatments-wet-amd-advanced-neovascular-amd) — National Eye Institute (NIH) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/150
6. [Therapeutic Angiogenesis for Peripheral Artery Disease: Lessons Learned in Translational Science, Iyer SR, Annex BH](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5802410/) — JACC: Basic to Translational Science · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/151
7. [Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer for Cosmetic Breast Augmentation: Supportive Use of Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cells, Yoshimura K et al.](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2175019/) — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/152
8. [Adipose-Derived Stem Cell, Stromal Vascular Fraction, and Regenerative Cell Enrichment in Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review of Safety and Functional Outcomes](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12812246/) — Cureus (PubMed Central) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/145