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Reynolds Number - Blayne Sarazin: Difference between revisions
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*Blood vessels are elastic "pipes" whose shapes and diameters constantly change. | *Blood vessels are elastic "pipes" whose shapes and diameters constantly change. | ||
With that being said, blood flow in the body is generally laminar, with the exception usually occurring in the ascending aorta where this flow can be disrupted and turn turbulent.<sup>15</sup> The location of the ascending aorta can be seen in Figure 5. This turbulent flow can also occur in large arteries at branch points as well as across stenotic heart valves. Ideally, the critical Reynolds number is high enough such that turbulent flow is not common in the circulatory system. Turbulent blood flow within the circulatory system is never a good thing, with turbulent flow being linked to heart murmurs<sup>15</sup> and aneurysm formation at arterial branch points.<sup>16</sup> | Calculating Reynolds number can only be done locally, and is not representative of the flow everywhere in the body at that time. For this application, one would treat arteries like pipes. Further measurements may be necessary to attain flow velocity. With that being said, blood flow in the body is generally laminar, with the exception usually occurring in the ascending aorta where this flow can be disrupted and turn turbulent.<sup>15</sup> The location of the ascending aorta can be seen in Figure 5. This turbulent flow can also occur in large arteries at branch points as well as across stenotic heart valves. Ideally, the critical Reynolds number is high enough such that turbulent flow is not common in the circulatory system. Turbulent blood flow within the circulatory system is never a good thing, with turbulent flow being linked to heart murmurs<sup>15</sup> and aneurysm formation at arterial branch points.<sup>16</sup> | ||
=References= | =References= | ||
