Blood flow in the choriocapillaris

What is it about?

The choriocapillaris is the microvascular bed responsible for sustaining the outer retina, which is one of the most metabolically demanding tissue of the human body. The geometry of the choriocapillaris is different from more conventional vascular beds in that it forms a planar mesh of densely organised capillaries serviced by arterioles and venules inserting into the plane of the capillaries at approximately a right angle. This work describes the dynamic of the blood flow though the choriocapillaris, and investigates local and geographical variations in the anatomical characteristics of the microvascular bed.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Due to its location in the back of the eye, the choriocapillaris is difficult to observe in man. It also forms a rather complex vasculature, so that controversy remain over some of its features. This paper is unique in providing a description of the blood flow in the choriocapillaris based on anatomical observations of the vascular bed and the fundamental characteristics of the geometry of this microvascular bed. Another important aspect of this work is that it introduces a novel fluid mechanics model with potential applications in several engineering field.