Bernoulli’s Principle
Bernoulli’s Principle states that a given fluid will have a higher pressure where it is flowing more slowly and a lower pressure where it is flowing more quickly.
Because of Bernoulli's Principle, when a fluid flows through a constricted portion of a tube, the rate at which the fluid flows increases to maintain the flow volume, and in turn, the fluid pressure inside of the constricted portion of the tube decreases.
Bernoulli's Principle has consequences in the human cardiovascular system. Blood vessels are essentially tubes, and any narrowing in a blood vessel (by plaque buildup or by other means) results in increased flow rate and decreased blood pressure in the constricted portion of the blood vessel. If the constriction is particularly severe, the pressure differential between the outside and inside of the blood vessel can become large enough that the blood vessel will collapse temporarily.
Bernoulli's Principle can also be used to determine that severity of plaque buildup in a blood vessel. Doppler ultrasound images can look for different velocities of blood flow in a single blood vessel, and by using Bernoulli's Principle, the difference in pressure between given points in a vessel can then be calculated.
Because of Bernoulli's Principle, when a fluid flows through a constricted portion of a tube, the rate at which the fluid flows increases to maintain the flow volume, and in turn, the fluid pressure inside of the constricted portion of the tube decreases.
Bernoulli's Principle has consequences in the human cardiovascular system. Blood vessels are essentially tubes, and any narrowing in a blood vessel (by plaque buildup or by other means) results in increased flow rate and decreased blood pressure in the constricted portion of the blood vessel. If the constriction is particularly severe, the pressure differential between the outside and inside of the blood vessel can become large enough that the blood vessel will collapse temporarily.
Bernoulli's Principle can also be used to determine that severity of plaque buildup in a blood vessel. Doppler ultrasound images can look for different velocities of blood flow in a single blood vessel, and by using Bernoulli's Principle, the difference in pressure between given points in a vessel can then be calculated.