ESTIMATION OF THE BRANCHING NUMBER OF THE BLOOD-VESSEL SYSTEM

We develop a systematic method to estimate the branching number of the blood vessel system by using the data on radii and total cross sectio nal areas of typical blood vessels, and by employing the power-law rel ation between the radii of branched blood vessels. They are estimated to be 32 and 25 for the arterial and venous systems in humans, respect ively. They show a satisfactory coincidence with the observed values i n humans. The power exponents are determined simultaneously. They are derived from the minimum work principle, and range from 2.5 to 3 theor etically. They coincide with the theoretical prediction except in the branching containing a capillary. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.