Hemangioblasts

Definition

Hemangioblasts are stem cells that serve as common precursors to both blood cells and the cells lining blood vessels (endothelial cells) during embryonic development. They play a critical role in the formation of the vascular system and blood components in the fetus.

Related terms

Stem Cells: Undifferentiated cells capable of giving rise to various other types of specialized cells within the body.

Endothelial Cells: The thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall.

Vasculogenesis: The process by which embryonic stem cells differentiate into endothelial cells to form new blood vessels during fetal development