Fig. 5.

Schematic showing effects of hematocrit partition in diverging bifurcations (phase separation) on generation of erythrocyte-derived signals. A: if flow is divided equally at the initial bifurcation (filled arrows), both vessels receive approximately the same hematocrit and can produce erythrocyte-derived metabolic signals (open arrows). B: if flow decreases in one branch (filled arrows), hematocrit drops in that branch due to phase separation behavior, leading to a reduced capability of generating erythrocyte-derived metabolic signals (open arrow). If flow regulation is dependent on erythrocyte-derived signals, this branch may then further constrict, leading to further flow reduction.