Bernoulli’s principle /bərno̅o̅″lēz/ [Daniel Bernoulli, Swiss scientist, 1700–1782] , (in physics) the principle stating that the sum of the velocity and the kinetic energy of a fluid flowing through a tube is constant. The greater the velocity, the less the lateral pressure on the wall of the tube. Thus, if an artery is narrowed by atherosclerotic plaque, the flow of blood through the constriction increases in velocity and decreases in lateral pressure. Also called Bernoulli’s law.
