Non-planar curvature and branching of arteries and non-planar-type flow

Abstract

In this study, magnetic resonance imaging techniques have been used to examine the geometry of arterial curvature and branching in casts and in vivo, and to measure the distribution of axial velocity in the associated flow. It is found, contrary to a widely held view, that the geometry is commonly non-planar. Moreover, relatively small values of the parameters which render the geometry non-planar appear significantly to affect the velocity distribution. The findings suggest that non-planarity is an important factor influencing arterial flows, including wall shear. The implications are not restricted to vascular biology, pathology and surgery, but may extend to the design of general piping systems.