[Physiology | Cardiology | Heart Health] In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number (Re) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to help predict similar flow patterns in different fluid flow situations. The concept was introduced by George Gabriel Stokes in 1851,[2] but the Reynolds number is named after Osborne Reynolds (1842–1912), who popularized its use in 1883.

The inputs for this equation are:

V - fluid velocity in units of m/s

D - tube diameter in units of meters

ρ - density -  in units of kg/m³

η - viscosity - in units of Ns/m²

Notes

More Information: Poiseuille's law on blood circulation in the body is dependent on laminar flow. In turbulent flow, the flow rate is proportional to the square root of the pressure gradient, as opposed to its direct proportionality to pressure gradient in laminar flow. Using the definition of the Reynolds number we can see that a large diameter with rapid flow, where the density of the blood is high, tends towards turbulence. Rapid changes in vessel diameter may lead to turbulent flow, for instance when a narrower vessel widens to a larger one. Furthermore, a bulge of atheroma may be the cause of turbulent flow, where audible turbulence may be detected with a stethoscope.