Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.13
Variation of flow characteristics for an artery-to-vein connection. The flow velocity and
pressure of blood flow within the vessels of the systemic circulation as it undergoes structural tran-
sition from being an artery to a vein demonstrates that the blood pressure and velocity is inversely
correlated to the total effective area presented by the vessels
branches away from the heart due to the reduction in pressure. However, aging and
arterial disease can lead to the loss of this elasticity, accounting for increased resis-
tance to blood flow that can lead to hypertension (Figs.
2.14
and
2.15
).
Fig. 2.14
Dissection of
the multi-layer tissues that
constitute the artery wall.
The components of the artery
consist of the endothelium,
basement membrane, elastic
layers, smooth muscle, and
connective tissue in a con-
figuration that provides elas-
ticity to the vessel and low
resistance to flow through it
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