Overview of the Circulation; medical Physics of Pressure, Flow and resistance
The circulation is a complete circuit. Because blood flows around and around in the same vessels, any change in flow in a single part of the circuit transiently alters the flow in the other parts. Another feature of circulation is that sudden constriction of a blood vessel must always be accompanied by opposite dilatation in another part, as the blood itself is not compressible. Most of the blood volume is distributed in the veins of the systemic circulation. 84% Systemic Circulation 64% Veins 13% Arteries 7% Arterioles and capilaries 7% Heart 9% Pulmonary circulation Velocity of blood flow is inversely proportional to vascular cross-section area. Pressures differ in different parts of the circulation Pulse Pressure 40mmHg - (120 - 80) mmHg. Pressures in the pulmonary circulation are much lower than in those in the systemic circulation. 25/8 mmHg MAP = 16 mm Hg The blood flow from each tissue of the body is precisely controlled relative to tissue needs. Th