Degree
Master of Science
Program
Medical Biophysics
Supervisor
Dwayne N. Jackson
2nd Supervisor
Daniel Goldman
Joint Supervisor
Abstract
The objective of this thesis was to measure the geometric and topological properties of complete arteriolar networks within skeletal muscle, and to use these data as ideal inputs in a computational blood flow model in order to analyze the corresponding hemodynamic properties. Specifically, we sought to measure the levels of structural and hemodynamic heterogeneity exhibited within and between arteriolar networks. Intravital videomicroscopy was used to image and construct photomontages of complete arteriolar networks of the rat gluteus maximus muscle under baseline conditions. Arteriolar diameters, lengths, and inter-connections were analyzed and grouped according to a centrifugal ordering scheme. For all networks considered, high levels of inter-network homology were observed with regards to the structure (geometry, topology, fractal dimension) as well as the hemodynamic (blood flow, hematocrit distribution) properties. Blood flow was proportional to the diameter cubed in support of Murray’s Law. Future studies will aim to incorporate capillary and venule data in order to construct a complete model of the microcirculation within the rat gluteus maximus muscle.
Recommended Citation
Al Tarhuni, Mohammed K., "Comprehensive Topological, Geometric, And Hemodynamic Analysis Of The Rat Gluteus Maximus Arteriolar Networks" (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4109.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4109
certificate of examination