Which of these factors would produce the greatest increase in blood flow
A)doubling the radius of the vessel
B)doubling the difference in the pressure gradient within the vessel
C)doubling the viscosity of the blood
D)doubling the length of the vessel

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Poiseuille's Law, the flow of blood is directly proportional to the fourth power of the vessel radius, which means that doubling the radius of the vessel would produce the greatest increase in blood flow. Doubling the pressure gradient (B), increasing the viscosity of the blood (C), and doubling the length of the vessel (D) would all reduce blood flow according to Poiseuille's Law.

Which of These Factors Would Produce the Greatest Increase in Blood