Resistivity of Body Tissues at Low Frequencies

Abstract

The resistivity of tissues of the thorax of dogs has been measured in situ under nearly normal conditions. Additional data have been obtained from humans. Approximate values of tissue resistivity found are 160 ohm-cm for blood, 2,000 ohm-cm for lung, 2,500 ohm-cm for fat, 700 ohm-cm for liver, 250 and 550 ohm-cm (anisotropic) for heart muscle and 150 and 2,500 ohm-cm (anisotropic) for skeletal muscle. Reasons for the differences between these and previously reported values have been found, and in some cases, verified experimentally. Predictions of whole trunk resistivity based on anatomical data and these measurements are within 8% of actual trunk measurements.