Arterial bifurcations in the cardiovascular system of a rat.

Abstract

Arterial bifurcations in the cardiovascular system of a rat were studied, using a resin cast of the entire arterial tree. At each bifurcation, measurements were made of the diameters of the 3 vessels involved, the 2 branching angles, and the angle .delta., which the parent artery makes with the plane containing the 2 branches. The results were found to be consistent with those reported previously in man and monkey. In addition, measurements of .delta. in the present study indicate that arterial bifurcations are mostly 2 dimensional.