Chapter 2 – Fluid Movement in a Rigid Tube: Pressures and Gradients

This chapter deals with fluid movement, pressure, and its relevance to blood pressure; understanding resistance and its role in vascular resistance; hydrostatic forces; Starling’s forces; and more clinical application. Before explaining exactly how the body maintains blood pressure in terms of the heart and kidneys, we first go back to basics and gain a better understanding of exactly what pressure is and how the vessels and capillaries help influence movement of fluids throughout the body. After completing this chapter, the reader should have a clearer understanding on fluid dynamics, blood pressure, vascular resistance, and Starling forces.