Turbulence & Rheology, Dr. D. Penney

Computation of closest RBC packing

For rabbit: RBC dia. = 8.5 um, thickness = 2.4 um (human RBC smaller, at 8.07 um)

MCV (mean RBC volume) = 95 cu. um

Volume occupied by RBC in three-dimensional hexagon = 152 cu. um

Thus: Volume percent containing RBC = 95 / 152 = 63%

Therefore: Since perfect packing never occurs in blood, continual deformation of RBC's must take place at Hct's well below 63%

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