Category Archives: Haemodynamics

Blood vessels are designed to carry blood in a liquid state. However, as we have learnt in an earlier blog, blood can be abnormally converted to a solid-or semi solid mass, which is termed as a thrombus. The thrombus may remain at the site of formation, or it may detach and become a thromboembolus. TheContinue reading “Embolism”

In the ancient Chinese medical text, ‘Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经)’, written over 2000 years ago, the fundamental concepts of circulation is stated – ‘All the blood is under control of the heart. The blood current flows continuously in a circle and never stops.’  Blood must be in constant flow. It needs to flow continuously so that it canContinue reading “Thrombosis”

Learning outcomes Basic physiology Describe the normal distribution of water within the various fluid compartments of the human body Explain how the distribution of water is maintained through the balance of hydrostatic and oncotic forces at the capillary bed (Starling forces) Pathophysiology of oedema Define oedema Explain how disturbances in balance of the hydrostatic andContinue reading “Fluid homeostasis and oedema”

Blood must continuously flow in a circuit. If we take plumbing and water supply as an analogy, water can only be supplied to your home if the reservoir (blood volume) is filled, the main pump (heart) works efficiently and the circuit (vasculature and peripheral resistance) that delivers water is of appropriate calibre and pressure. FailureContinue reading “Shock”