The American journal of physiology
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The elementary principles of liquid dynamics are described by the equations of Bernoulli and Poiseuille. Bernoulli's equation deals with nonviscous liquids under steady streamline flow. Pressures in such flows are related to gravity and/or acceleration. ⋯ Flow, up or down, must be induced by some source of energy against the resistance of the circuit. In the case of the circulation, the pumping action of the heart supplies the needed energy gradients. Flow in collapsible tubes, like veins, obeys the same basic laws of liquid dynamics except that transmural pressures near zero or below zero reduce markedly the cross-sectional area of the tube, which increases the viscous resistance to flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)