Figure 1.

Computational domains representing intercostal arteries branching from the thoracic aorta: (a) simple model of one intercostal artery emerging perpendicularly from the thoracic aorta, (b) more realistic aortic geometry, (c) more realistic geometry of the aorto-intercostal junction, and (d) pair of branches at the same streamwise position. Dimensions in (b) and (c), other than those shown, are the same as in (a). The unit of length, D, is the diameter of the intercostal artery. The flow direction is shown in (b) and is the same for all models.