Blood flow is adjusted both by: Changes in vessels radii, vessel length; and changes in blood pressure in a tube

of uniform diameter Of these 3 factors, the most important quantitatively and physiologically is the vessels radii The reason for this is that vessel diameter changes because of contraction and relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle in the wall of the blood vessel. Furthermore, as described on the next slide, very small changes in vessel diameter lead to large changes in resistance. Vessel length does not change significantly and blood viscosity normally stays within a small range (except when hematocrit changes). Fluid flow obeys the relationship: F= (P1P2)/R This equation is always true, but the expression for the resistance R may be simple or complex, depending on the type of flow If the flow is laminar (nonturbulent) then the resistance R is given by: R=8nLi/ Body adjust flow by changing the vessel radii Most vessel dilation (vasodilation) and constriction (vasoconstriction) take place in the small arteries and arterioles, with some occurring in those capillaries that have sphincters. Drugs can also induce vasodilation or vasoconstriction ; for example, a local anesthetic may be administered with a vasoconstrictor to reduce blood flow and prolong the time that the anestethics remain in place.

Flow is also adjusted by changes in arterial blood pressure P1 while venous blood pressure P2 remains constant. Example: During strenuous exercise, blood flow may quadruple with a 50% increase in arterial blood pressure and significant vasodilation of the arterial systems throughout the body.

APPLCABILITY OF POISEUILLES LAW Poiseuilles law does not quantitatively describe blood flow accurately for a number of reasons:

Blood is not an ideal fluid. It contains blood cells which are not fluid in character and whose size is large enough to affect flow in arterioles, capillaries, and venules. Vessel walls are not rigid, so flow is affected as they expand and contract with each heartbeat. Poiseuilles law is only valid for nonturbulent flow. High blood velocity, sharp bends or constrictions, and blood cells can all cause turbulence. Nevertheless, Poiseuilles law is widely applied to blood flow and does give a good qualitative description of the dependence of flow on radius and viscosity

TURBULENCE: A Diagnostic Indicator Turbulence can sometimes be detected by the sound it makes. Example: The noise of the water faucet make is the sound of turbulent flow around its valve. Turbulence in the heart, major arteries, and veins is easily detected with a stethoscope. Normal heart sounds are caused mostly by valves closing. Flow through leaky valves forms an irregular obstruction. Sounds made by leaking heart valves are called heart murmurs. A hole between heart chambers is another cause of turbulent flow. Such a hole exists in newborn infants and normally closes within a few hours after birth, sometimes before birth. An aneurysm is a ballooning of a vessel due to weakened wall. Irregular shape of aneurysm can cause turbulence. Turbulence is used to make common blood pressure measurements. Two pressures are recorded: The maximum heart pressure (systolic); and the minimum heart pressure (diastolic) The turbulent sound made by blood flow in taking the blood pressure are called the Korotkoff sounds. The pressure at which flow occurs during all parts of the cycle but remains turbulent is called the diastolic pressure and is normally recorded. The pressure at which turbulence ceases is sometimes recorded as a third pressure, but it seems to be less important indicator than iether systolic or diastolic pressure.