Figure 2From: Could increased axial wall stress be responsible for the development of atheroma in the proximal segment of myocardial bridges?Definition of circumferential, axial, and radial wall stress (perspective view). Division of the circumferential force Fc by the area S of the cube face it pulls at yields the circumferential wall stress σc = Fc/S. Division of the axial force Fa by the area S of the cube face it pulls at yields the axial wall stress σa = Fa/S. Division of the radial force Fr by the area S of the cube face it pushes on yields the radial wall stress σr = Fr/S. These three orthogonal stresses are used to describe the mechanical state of the vessel wall at the considered location. The average axial wall stress over a wall cross-section is equal to the quotient "force pulling axially at that cross-section, divided by the area A of that cross-section" (A = π (Ro2 - Ri2)).Back to article page