Which description corresponds to diastolic laminar flow?

• A. Laminar flow
• B. Turbulent flow
• C. Parabolic flow
• D. Plug flow

Answer: (C)

Diastolic flow in a straight, circular vessel that is laminar and fully developed forms a smooth, orderly velocity distribution driven by viscosity. The velocity is highest at the center and decreases toward the wall, finally reaching zero right at the wall due to the no-slip condition. This symmetric, curved profile is described as parabolic flow.

So, during diastole, if the flow remains laminar and the conditions for a fully developed profile are met, the description that best fits is parabolic flow. Other terms describe different patterns: plug flow would have a nearly flat velocity across the cross-section, turbulence would show chaotic fluctuations, and simply saying laminar flow doesn’t specify the exact profile.