ABSTRACT
The arterial circulation is a multiply branched network of compliant tubes. The geometry of the network is complex, and the vessels exhibit nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. Whereas the development of an exact biomechanical description of arterial hemodynamics is a formidable task, surprisingly useful results can be obtained with greatly simplified models. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arterial wall which appears to be strongly influenced by hemodynamics. The disease begins with a thickening of the intimal layer in locations which correlate with the shear stress distribution on the endothelial surface. The viscodasticity of blood vessels affects the hemodynamics of arterial ow. The primary function of arterial elasticity is to store blood during systole so that forward ow continues when the aortic valve is dosed. Flow in the arterial circulation is predominantly laminar with the possible exception of the proximal aorta and main pulmonary artery.
