Biomaterial Database

Steady flow in a model of human central airways. 1980

A S Slutsky, and G G Berdine, and J M Drazen

We studied the pressure-flow relationships and flow distribution under steady conditions in a model of human central airways, over a range of tracheal Reynolds' numbers (350-30,000) by using air or helium. We found that the Moody diagram [log coefficient of friction CF = delta P/[1/2 rho (V2/A2)] vs. log Reynolds' number (Re)] had a slope of -1 for Re less than 500, a slope 0 for Re greater than 10,000, and slopes between -1 and 0 for 500 less than or equal to Re less than or equal to 10,000. The distribution of flow among branches was dependent on tracheal Reynolds' number so that, as tracheal Reynolds' number increased, the upper lobes received proportionally less of the total flow than the lower lobes. Because the airways in the upper lobes generally had greater branching angles than those in the lower lobes, this result was consistent with the hypothesis that the effective resistances introduced by branching angles was flow dependent, increasing proportionally more the greater the angle.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D008953	Models, Anatomic	Three-dimensional representation to show anatomic structures. Models may be used in place of intact animals or organisms for teaching, practice, and study.	Anatomic Models,Models, Surgical,Moulages,Models, Anatomical,Anatomic Model,Anatomical Model,Anatomical Models,Model, Anatomic,Model, Anatomical,Model, Surgical,Moulage,Surgical Model,Surgical Models
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000403	Airway Resistance	Physiologically, the opposition to flow of air caused by the forces of friction. As a part of pulmonary function testing, it is the ratio of driving pressure to the rate of air flow.	Airway Resistances,Resistance, Airway,Resistances, Airway
D012212	Rheology	The study of the deformation and flow of matter, usually liquids or fluids, and of the plastic flow of solids. The concept covers consistency, dilatancy, liquefaction, resistance to flow, shearing, thixotrophy, and VISCOSITY.	Flowmetry,Velocimetry,Velocimetries