PSL201Y1 Study Guide - Brachial Artery, Cardiac Output, Ibm 7030 Stretch
Document Summary
Physical laws governing blood flow and blood pressure. Flow = pressure gradient / resistance = p/r. Whenever there is a difference in pressure between two locations, the pressure gradient drives the flow from a region of higher pressure to one of lower pressure, or down the pressure gradient. The driving force for bulk flow is always a pressure gradient, and the direction of flow is always down the gradient from a region of greater pressure to a region of lower pressure. Pressure also depends on density: a higher hydrostatic column corresponds to a greater pressure. If the difference between the levels remains constant, the flow does not change. Pressure gradients across the systemic and pulmonary circuits: mean arterial pressure (map, the average pressure in the aorta throughout the cardiac cycle) is about. If the pressure gradient to drive blood flow through the pulmonary circuit is relatively low, then the resistance must also be low.
