Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

En Face Preparation of Mouse Blood Vessels
Published on: May 19, 2017
Twisted blood vessels: symptoms, etiology and biomechanical mechanisms
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA. hchan@utsa.edu
Abstract:
Tortuous arteries and veins are commonly observed in humans and animals. While mild tortuosity is asymptomatic, severe tortuosity can lead to ischemic attack in distal organs. Clinical observations have linked tortuous arteries and veins with aging, atherosclerosis, hypertension, genetic defects and diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms of their formation and development are poorly understood. This review summarizes the current clinical and biomechanical studies on the initiation, development and treatment of tortuous blood vessels. We submit a new hypothesis that mechanical instability and remodeling could be mechanisms for the initiation and development of these tortuous vessels.
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Blood Vessels
Anatomy of Blood Vessels
Arteries
Arteries circulate oxygenated blood from the heart, except the pulmonary artery, which transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Large arteries, such as the aorta,...
Overview of Blood Vessels
Arteries and Arterioles: Arteries are muscular and elastic vessels that primarily carry oxygenated blood from the heart to body tissues, except for the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood. They have thick walls to withstand high pressure and contain a layer of muscle tissue, allowing them to expand or contract as...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Angle of Twist: Problem Solving

