Hemodynamic Investigation of Normal Developing Aortic Arch in the Chick Embryo

Governed by genetic and epigenetic feedback [1], during embryonic cardiac development, the anatomy of aortic arches demonstrates drastic three dimensional (3D) changes that interact with the function of cardiovascular system. Six major pairs of aortic arches appear at different embryonic periods and eventually form the two brachiocephalic arteries (left and right third), an aortic arch (left fourth) and pulmonary arteries and ductus arteriosus (left and right sixth) [2–4], Fig 1. Flow-driven hemodynamic loading plays a major role in this dynamic process. Morphological studies on the embryonic aortic arches began over 100 years ago while the recent remarkable developments include understanding genetic determinants such as the effects of neural crest cells [5,6]. However the relationship between hemodynamic factors and the dynamic 3D geometry changes is still limited requiring an interdisciplinary research effort [7,8].