Figure 2.

Schematics of how in vivo and in vitro scenarios are modelled, with an illustration of how they relate to the physical structures modelled and flow through them. In vitro, we simulate a micro-channel, of which a subsection is imaged using timelapse microscopy. The base of the micro-channel is the x–z plane, and cells can break free of the base of the micro-channel in the y-direction and be carried with the flow. However, this does not happen commonly in the model or the in vitro data. In vivo, we simulate a portion of the plugged spiral artery as a cylindrical tube, with cells initially placed within the tube in a configuration that produces similar cell densities to those observed in anatomical imaging. (Online version in colour.)