CVS S5 - Blood Flow Flashcards
Define flow
The volume of fluid passing a given point per unit time
What drives flow?
A gradient of pressure
Define velocity
Rate of movement of fluid particles along the tube
What is laminar flow?
There is a gradient of flow from the middle to the edge of a blood vessel
Velocity is highest at the centre
Fluid is stationary at the edge
Most blood flow is laminar
What is turbulent flow?
When layers of fluid try to move over one another faster than physics will allow
As velocity increases, eventually flow will become turbulent
Turbulence greatly increases resistance
Define viscosity
The extent to which fluid layers resist flowing over one another
What are the effects of viscosity on flow?
The higher the viscosity, the lower the difference between the velocity of flow in the middle and the edge of a vessel
The higher the viscosity, the lower the velocity
What is the effect of tube diameter on velocity?
Velocity is proportional to cross sectional area of a tube
How does viscosity affect resistance?
The greater the viscosity, the greater the resistance
Describe the relationship between pressure and resistance if flow is fixed
If flow is fixed, then the higher the resistance, the greater the pressure change from one end of the vessel to the other.
Describe the relationship between flow and resistance if pressure is fixed
If pressure is fixed then the higher the resistance, the lower the flow.
What is the relationship between radius of vessel and resistance?
Resistance decreases with the 4th power of the radius
This means small changes in radius can have a great effect on resistance
How is resistance combined for vessels in series?
The resistances for each vessel are added
How is resistance combined for vessels in parallel?
The resistance for each is reduced as there is another path for the blood to go
Describe flow over the systemic circulation
Flow remains the same at all points