Figure 2.

Determination of Shear Rate (γ). As fluid particles “travel” parallel to the vessel wall, their average velocity increases from a minimum at the wall to a maximum value at some distance from the wall, resulting in a gradient of velocities. The actual shear rate at the vessel wall is determined by shape of the velocity profile. Shear stress-induced deformation of the endothelial cells is detected by mechanoreceptors on the cell membrane.