title: Effect of geometric variations on pressure loss for a model bifurcation of the human lung airway.
abstract: Characteristics of pressure loss (ΔP) in human lung airways were numerically investigated using a realistic model bifurcation. Flow equations were numerically solved for the steady inspiratory condition with the tube length, the branching angle and flow velocity being varied over a wide range. In general, the ΔP coefficient K showed a power-law dependence on Reynolds number (Re) and length-to-diameter ratio with a different exponent for Re≥100 than for Re<100. The effect of different branching angles on pressure loss was very weak in the smooth-branching airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Yeong
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jeongeun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Jin-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000502:physiology*