What type of flow is typically seen following a blockage in blood vessels?

Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic, irregular patterns of motion, which can arise in blood vessels following a blockage. When an obstruction occurs, the smooth laminar flow of blood is disrupted, causing eddies and vortices as blood moves around the blockage. This variability in flow is a crucial indicator of disturbed hemodynamics, especially as it relates to the increased velocity and pressure gradients that may develop at the site of the obstruction.

In contrast, laminar flow represents a smooth, orderly movement of fluid in parallel layers, and this is typically observed in healthy blood vessels without obstructions. Parabolic flow is a specific type of laminar flow where the velocity is highest at the center and decreases towards the vessel walls, which also does not occur in the presence of a blockage. Steady flow suggests a consistent, unchanging rate of fluid movement, which is not typically the case when turbulence is introduced by a blockage. Thus, turbulent flow is the most appropriate description of the flow characteristics seen following a blockage in blood vessels.