Medical question

[Tinman]

Hi all. Is there a system in human anatomy that is similar in appearance to the fibrous root system of trees? The closest thing I've found is where the nerve filaments meet the spinal cord. I want to draw an analogy and I'd prefer something with a bad connotation - a tumor or something similarly unhealthy would be perfect. Thanks a bunch!!!

[espresso5]

The circulatory system with the branching arteries and arterioles. The branching of the arteries is sometimes called the arterial tree.
The bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs.

[boron]

In leprosy, infection can travel through the nerves, from the skin to the spinal cord. Time frame: months/years.

Cancer metastases spread either via the circulatory or lymphatic system to various distant organs and lymph nodes. Time frame: weeks/months.

In shingles (1 min video), infection travels from ganglia near the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves and skin; usually only one, but occasionally more peripheral nerve branches are involved. Time frame: few weeks

Infection (pneumonia, a skin boil (furuncle) caused by Staphylococci bacteria, etc.) can enter the bloodstream and causes sepsis (blood poisoning) that can potentially affect all body organs. Time frame: hours.

[lbender]

Originally Posted by boron

In leprosy, infection can travel through the nerves, from the skin to the spinal cord. Time frame: months/years.

Cancer metastases spread either via the circulatory or lymphatic system to various distant organs and lymph nodes. Time frame: weeks/months.

In shingles (1 min video), infection travels from ganglia near the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves and skin; usually only one, but occasionally more peripheral nerve branches are involved. Time frame: few weeks

Infection (pneumonia, a skin boil (furuncle) caused by Staphylococci bacteria, etc.) can enter the bloodstream and causes sepsis (blood poisoning) that can potentially affect all body organs. Time frame: hours.

Don't forget Rabies virus - travels from the peripheral nerves up the tree to the CNS.

[boron]

Originally Posted by lbender

Don't forget Rabies virus - travels from the peripheral nerves up the tree to the CNS.

Don't forget that originally I have one thought, now I have 64 of them and if I don't stop, it will become unhealthy...so the OP can use this example as well.

[Tinman]

Thanks Guys. When I make a million off my first novel and retire to a palatial estate on Tahiti, you each have a personal invitation for a visit. Thanks again.

[lbender]

Airfare included?

[Smiling Ted]

You might want to consider the network of blood vessels that grows inside a cancer tumor - without that network, the tumor dies of starvation. (In fact, cancer cells grow in our bodies more often than you'd think; it's the ones that acquire the ability to feed themselves and avoid apoptosis that become dangerous.)

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by lbender

Airfare included?

LOL. I'm sorry. I budgeted that money for my pool and cabana girls.

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Smiling Ted

You might want to consider the network of blood vessels that grows inside a cancer tumor - without that network, the tumor dies of starvation.

Thanks Ted. That works great.