Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect
The Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect in blood flow dynamics
The Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect is a phenomenon observed in the flow of blood through small blood vessels, particularly in capillaries and small arterioles. This effect describes the reduction in apparent blood viscosity as the diameter of the blood vessel decreases, down to a certain point. It is named after the Swedish scientists Robin Fåhræus and Torsten Lindqvist, who first described the effect in the early 20th century.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
The Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect occurs due to the unique properties of red blood cells and their interaction with the walls of narrow blood vessels. As blood flows through a narrow vessel, red blood cells tend to migrate towards the center of the vessel, creating a cell-free layer near the vessel wall. This migration reduces the overall viscosity of the blood in the vessel, as the cell-free layer allows for smoother flow.
In larger vessels, red blood cells are more evenly distributed across the cross-section, leading to higher viscosity. However, as the vessel diameter decreases, the relative thickness of the cell-free layer increases, resulting in a decrease in apparent viscosity.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect is significant in microcirculation, where it facilitates efficient blood flow through the smallest vessels in the body. This effect helps to maintain adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products.
Understanding this effect is crucial for the study of hemodynamics and the development of medical devices such as microfluidic systems and artificial blood vessels.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
The Fåhræus–Lindqvist effect is most pronounced in vessels with diameters between 10 and 300 micrometers. In vessels smaller than this range, the effect diminishes, and blood viscosity may increase again due to the increased interaction between red blood cells and the vessel wall.
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