The term 'vascular tree' (the branching system of blood vessels within organ or the wider body), though clearly metaphorical in origin has become an accepted technical term (a 'dead metaphor') within a particular scientific community. However a novice or non-specialist may assume this is simply a metaphor (a 'phantom metaphor')
"The vascular system is a network that acts as a conduit for the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body. The blood vessels that comprise the vascular system consist of the arteries that deliver the blood from the heart to the rest of the body, the veins that bring the blood back to the heart from the different parts of the body and the capillaries that are the tiny blood vessels interconnecting the arteries and veins allowing the oxygenated blood to be transported to the body. The vascular tree is thus a closed system formed from a perfect balance of arteries, capillaries, and veins that help the blood and other nutrients to be delivered to every cell in the body."
Paul, Oindrila, Jian Qin Tao, Xiaohui Guo & Chatterjee, Shampa (2021) in Shampa Chatterjee (Ed.), Endothelial Signaling in Vascular Dysfunction and Disease. From Bench to Bedside. Academic Press, pp.3-13
