Premium
FLOW THROUGH S‐SHAPED GLASS MODELS SIMULATING ARTERIAL TORTUOSITIES
Author(s) -
Stehbens William E.,
Stehbens Gilbert R.,
Fee Conan J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0144-8757
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1987.sp003064
Subject(s) - reynolds number , flow (mathematics) , mechanics , anatomy , physics , medicine , turbulence
Flow patterns in twenty‐one glass models of S bends were examined using the dye‐injection technique. The glass models were of different configurations designed to simulate arterial tortuosities. In each model flow disturbances were observed in the stem distal to the S bend or in the distal portion of the S bend itself at Reynolds numbers below 2000. The disturbances were periodic in nature and mostly regular, but with considerable sensitivity to external disturbances. The sharpness of the flexures appeared to be important in determining the Reynolds number at which flow disturbances occurred. The significance of the flow disturbances is their seeming applicability to the human vascular system.