Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Branching Exponent Heterogeneity And Wall Shear Stress Distribution In Vascular Trees, Kelly Lynn Karau, Gary S. Krenz, Christopher A. Dawson

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

A bifurcating arterial system with Poiseuille flow can function at minimum cost and with uniform wall shear stress if the branching exponent (z) = 3 [where z is defined by (D ₁)^z = (D ₂)^z + (D ₃)^z; D ₁ is the parent vessel diameter and D ₂ and D ₃ are the two daughter vessel diameters at a bifurcation]. Because wall shear stress is a physiologically transducible force, shear stress-dependent control over vessel diameter would appear to provide a means for preserving this optimal structure through maintenance …