Scale dependence of branching in arterial and bronchial trees.
Although models of branching in arterial and bronchial trees often predict a dependence of bifurcation parameters on the scale of the bifurcating vessels, direct verification of this dependence by comparison with data is uncommon. We compare measurements of bifurcation parameters of airways and arterial trees of different mammals as a function of scale to general features predicted by theoretical models based on minimization of pumping power and network volume. We find that the size dependence is more complex than existing theories based solely on energy and volume minimization explain, and suggest additional factors that may govern the branching at different scales.
Restrepo
Juan G
JG
Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. juanga@math.umd.edu
Ott
Edward
E
Hunt
Brian R
BR
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D001835:Body Weight; D001980:Bronchi / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012756:Sheep / Q000033:anatomy & histology