A flat velocity profile in large vessels is termed plug flow, indicating that all or most of the blood is flowing at a single velocity per time unit.

See also Blood Flow Velocity.

The velocity of flowing blood is usually measured in cm/s. It is always zero at the vessel wall and the velocity profile across a vessel can have various shapes depending upon the type of flow being observed (see also pulsatile flow). Laminar flow giving rise to a laminar velocity profile, plug flow giving rise to a flat velocity profile and disturbed flow can be distinguished.
Normal peak systolic velocities in the femoral and popliteal arteries vary from 90 to 110 cm/s in the femoral artery and from 40 to 70 cm/s in the popliteal artery.

See also Bi-directional Flow, Pulsatility Index, and Acceleration Index.

Blood volume per time measured in: cm³/s.
The sonographic detection of blood flow in vascular ultrasound is limited by factors such as tissue motion (clutter), attenuation properties of the intervening tissue, and slow or low-volume flow.

Different flow types in human body:

See also Antegrade, Bi-directional Flow, Velocity, Poiseulles Law, and Venous Ultrasound.