- #1
sameeralord
- 659
- 3
How does elastic recoil of arteries stop blood pressure going to zero and artey collapsing? Thanks 
How does elastic recoil of arteries stop blood pressure going to zero?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the role of elastic recoil in arteries and its effect on maintaining blood pressure, exploring both theoretical and conceptual aspects of cardiovascular physiology.
Discussion Character
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants describe elastic recoil as the tendency of arteries to return to their original shape after deformation, suggesting this mechanism helps maintain blood pressure.
- One participant questions whether the volume of the artery increases and then returns to normal, indicating uncertainty about how this relates to blood pressure remaining above zero.
- Another participant argues that if blood pressure were solely dependent on heart contractions, it would drop to zero between beats, highlighting the importance of elastic recoil in sustaining pressure.
- A different viewpoint introduces the concept of measuring blood pressure at various points, suggesting that core volume is a significant determinant of blood pressure, and references a Wiggers Diagram to illustrate that pressures are never precisely zero.
- One participant challenges the previous claims by asking how the absence of elastic recoil would affect blood flow and pressure, prompting further consideration of the topic.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of blood pressure maintenance, with some supporting the role of elastic recoil while others introduce alternative factors and measurements, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.
Contextual Notes
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about blood pressure dynamics and the specific conditions under which measurements are taken, which are not fully explored.
- #2
zomgwtf
- 65
- 2
sameeralord said:How does elastic recoil of arteries stop blood pressure going to zero and artey collapsing? Thanks
Elastic recoil is basically the tendency of some tissues and cells to return to their original shape after it has been deformed. If you think about this maybe you can come to an answer on your own
if not then just post again and I'll help you out some more.- #3
sameeralord
- 659
- 3
Do you mean volume of the artery increases and then comes back to normal, so there is always some blood remaining? I'm really not sure please can you give me a straight forward answer. Thanks!
- #4
zomgwtf
- 65
- 2
sameeralord said:
Hmmm no...
If the blood pressure were totally dependent on the contractions of the heart then there would only be an increase of pressure when the heart contracts. Then pressure would go back to 0 really quickly until the next contraction. The elastic recoil of the arteries allows the artery to expand as normal but then exert an inward force to create blood pressure. The artery is slowly returning back to it's original shape which is continually 'maintaining' pressure. (because it's continually pressing inwards... the blood pressure is gradually lowering but pressure), this is why blood pressure fluctuates for a normal person between 70-120 mmHg.
To sum this up the inward pressure created by the elastic recoil of the arteries continues to apply pressure on the blood which forces the blood to continue to flow. If there was no pressure exerted on the blood then obviously blood pressure must be 0.
- #5
Doug Huffman
Gold Member
- 807
- 111
Are you sure?
Someone else asked a question that led me to point them to a Wiggers Diagram that they didn't understand. I didn't feel capable of answering their follow-up questions but thought about it a bit.
Depending where blood pressure is measured, for instance, core volume provides a large determinant for BP. I started to analogize static head for a mechanical pump.
Anyway, look at a Wigger Diagram and note that nowhere does it plot precisely zero pressure. Aortic pressure is low but not zero, ventricle pressure is far from zero, as is arterial/aortic pressure.
Someone else asked a question that led me to point them to a Wiggers Diagram that they didn't understand. I didn't feel capable of answering their follow-up questions but thought about it a bit.
Depending where blood pressure is measured, for instance, core volume provides a large determinant for BP. I started to analogize static head for a mechanical pump.
Anyway, look at a Wigger Diagram and note that nowhere does it plot precisely zero pressure. Aortic pressure is low but not zero, ventricle pressure is far from zero, as is arterial/aortic pressure.
- #6
zomgwtf
- 65
- 2
Doug Huffman said:
Well A Wigger Diagram is based on human anatomy... which includes elastic recoil... Imagine that there was no elastic recoil how do you think that would effect this pressure causing flow of blood?
- #7
sameeralord
- 659
- 3
Thanks Zom I got it. I can see that Doug is pointing something useful but at the moment I'll stick with your explanation.
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