Mathematical modeling of blood circulation in the liver

J. H. Siggers, A. Bonfiglio, K. Leungchavaphongse, R. Repetto

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

Blood flow in the liver has several unique features compared with other organs in the body. The liver is made up of functional units called lobules, and blood flows across the lobules from the portal tracts to the central veins travelling through small vessels called sinusoids. Vascular septae are vessels running between neighboring portal tracts. Rather than all the blood entering the lobule directly from the portal tracts, some goes from the portal tracts into the vascular septae, and is then distributed into the lobule. In this paper we present a model of the flow in a lobule. We consider an idealized geometry and treat the sinusoids as a porous medium. In the model the portal tracts and vascular septae act as sources of flux of blood and the central veins as sinks. Our results suggest that the vascular septae decrease extreme values of the pressure that could be achieved near to the portal tracts and result in a flow that could distribute nutrients more evenly to all the functional cells of the liver. We conclude with a discussion of extensions of the model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech
EditorsC. T. Lim, J. C. H. Goh
Place of PublicationBerlin, Germany
PublisherSpringer
Pages454-457
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9783642125155
ISBN (Print)9783540790389
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Aug 2010
Event6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech - Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 1 Aug 20106 Aug 2010

Publication series

NameIFMBE Proceedings
Volume31
ISSN (Print)1680-0737

Conference

Conference6th World Congress of Biomechanics, WCB 2010 - In Conjunction with 14th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, ICBME and 5th Asia Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, APBiomech
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period1/08/106/08/10

Keywords

  • fluid mechanics
  • hemodynamics
  • liver
  • mathematical modeling
  • porous medium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

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