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Blood Flow

Blood Flow

Blood is pumped by the heart into the aorta, the largest artery in the body, and then into increasingly smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. The velocity of blood flow decreases with increased cross-sectional blood vessel area. As blood returns to the heart through venules and veins, its velocity increases. The movement of blood is encouraged by smooth muscle in the vessel walls, the movement of skeletal muscle surrounding the vessels, and one-way valves that prevent backflow.

The Aorta

The Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It originates from the left ventricle of the heart and extends down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries. Structurally, it can be divided into four main parts: the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic aorta, and the abdominal aorta.
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...

Abdominal Aorta

Abdominal Aorta

Once the aorta traverses the diaphragmatic plane at the aortic hiatus, it is known as the abdominal aorta. This anatomical structure is positioned leftward of the spinal column, encased within a cocoon of adipose tissue behind the peritoneal cavity. It terminates at the L4 vertebra, where it splits into the common iliac arteries. Prior to this bifurcation, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several vital branches.
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

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The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
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Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial and Superficial Femoral Arteries in Rats

Ultrasound Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial and Superficial Femoral Arteries in Rats

Published on: November 3, 2016

Normal Blood Flow in Rat Abdominal Aorta: An Ultrasound Study.

Anna A Dokuchaeva¹, Kseniya S Podolskaya¹, Irina Yu Zhuravleva¹

¹Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, «E.Meshalkin National Medical Research Center» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation («E.Meshalkin NMRC»), 15, Rechkunovskaya str., Novosibirsk 630055, Russia.

|June 26, 2025

Summary

This study establishes normal blood flow velocity benchmarks in young Wistar rats using ultrasound Doppler. These findings provide essential reference data for evaluating hemodynamics in growing animals and tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

Keywords:

Wistar rats abdominal aorta blood flow velocity hemodynamics ultrasound examination

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Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial and Superficial Femoral Arteries in Rats

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Published on: November 3, 2016

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Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model

Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model

Published on: February 23, 2020

Area of Science:

Veterinary Medicine
Biomedical Engineering
Physiology

Background:

Ultrasound Doppler diagnostics is crucial for assessing blood flow velocity in clinical and scientific settings.
Understanding hemodynamics in growing animals is vital for research and clinical applications.
Establishing age-specific norms is necessary for accurate interpretation of blood flow data.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate hemodynamics in young Wistar rats.
To identify blood flow velocity norms for rats aged two to six months.
To provide reference data for in vivo studies involving small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

Main Methods:

Blood flow velocity was measured in 30 Wistar rats aged two to six months.
Ultrasound Doppler screening was conducted monthly.
Measurements were taken at three specific sites in the abdominal aorta: proximal to renal arteries, distal to renal arteries, and before aortic bifurcation.
Data from senile rats (24 months) served as a control group.

Main Results:

Characterization of blood flow velocity patterns in different abdominal aorta regions of growing rats.
Establishment of age-dependent hemodynamic profiles.
Comparison of blood flow velocities across various age groups.

Conclusions:

The study provides normative blood flow velocity values for young Wistar rats.
These data are valuable for assessing hemodynamics in tissue-engineered vascular graft research.
The findings support the use of ultrasound Doppler for in vivo evaluation of vascular function in growing animal models.