Oscillatory bodily flows: the eye and the brain

Dr Mariia Dvoriashyna (University of Edinburgh)

Thursday 5th October, 2023 14:00-15:00 Maths 311B/ZOOM (ID: 898 3547 4476)

Abstract

The human body is composed of approximately 60% fluids, many of which undergo oscillatory motion. From the rhythmic pumping of blood by the heart through the vessels to the cyclical flows of respiration in our lungs and the peristaltic movements in our gut, these oscillations play a crucial role in maintaining bodily functions. In this talk, I will focus on two particular flows. The first is the dynamics of aqueous humour, a Newtonian fluid found in the anterior chamber of the eye (the region between the cornea and the iris) during eye rotations. This flow is responsible for delivering nutrients to the avascular tissues of the cornea and the lens. The second is the oscillatory flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain during the cardiac cycle, which is relevant for clearing metabolic waste and delivering drugs to the brain. I will present the models describing both flows based on lubrication theory (an asymptotic technique valid in thin domains) and comment on how these flows contribute to mixing processes.

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