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A simple model for the arterial system
Hans Uno Bengtsson1, Patrik Edén
1Department of Theoretical Physics, Lund University, Sölvegatan 14A, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden. hans-uno.bengtsson@thep.lu.se
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|March 19, 2003
Abstract:
We present a simple model for the arterial part of the cardiovascular system, based on Poiseuille flow constrained by the power dissipated into the cells lining the vessels. This, together with the assumption of a volume-filling network, leads to correct predictions for the evolution of vessel radii, vessel lengths and blood pressure in the human arterial system. The model can also be used to find exponents for allometric scaling, and gives good agreement with data on mammals.