The Arterial System I. Pressure, Flow and Stiffness

Abstract

This chapter will explore basic biomechanics of arteries concentrating on pressure, flow and stiffness. Here the emphasis will be on normal function. Abnormal function and disease will be considered in later chapters. In the appendix at the end of the chapter is a table of the values of key quantities in different arteries.

Appendix 1: Physical Quantities for Selected Arteries

Data are indicative and taken from various sources including Caro et al. (1978), Marshall et al. (2004) and Reymond et al. (2009). L (length), D (diameter), V _m (mean velocity averaged over time and area), V _p (peak velocity), Re _m (Reynolds number from mean velocity), Re _p (Reynolds number from peak velocity), α (Womersley parameter), L _s (inlet length for the steady-flow component), L _s /L (ratio steady-flow inlet length to arterial length).

	L (cm)	D (cm)	V m (cm/s)	V p (cm/s)	Re m	Re p	α	L s (cm)	L s /L
Descending aorta	21	1.9	22	70	1100	3600	17	86	4.1
Abdominal aorta	13	1.4	13	60	500	2300	15	28	2.1
External iliac/common femoral	14	0.8	16	60	350	1300	5	11	0.8
Superficial femoral/popliteal	44	0.6	15	60	250	1000	4	6	0.1
Posterior tibial	32	0.3	5	50	50	400	3	0.5	0.02
Common carotid	9	0.7	17	80	320	1500	4	9	1.0
Internal carotid	18	0.5	23	75	310	1000	4	6	0.3
External carotid	41	0.4	12	80	130	900	4	2	0.1
Brachiocephalic	42	0.5	8	75	110	1000	8	2	0.1
Radial	24	0.2	5	60	30	300	4	0.2	0.01