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Abstract

The effect of the rounding radius of the Carina, during inhalation stage for the respiration process, was explored numerically through computational simulations based on a synthetic model of human airways. The geometries were parameterized in terms of the dimensionless curvature of carina. In the present study, two Reynolds numbers were explored in laminar flow regime. The results show that the variation of this physiological parameter affects the magnitude and distribution of the wall shear stresses, as well as the behavior of vortical structures observed in the secondary flow. This parameter also affects, although to a lesser extent, the pressure drops across the branches. The effects produced by the variation of this curvature on physiological aspects of the breathing process are analyzed. Finally, a brief discussion about the advantages of the use of CFD simulation techniques for the study of phenomena associated to biofluids is presented.