Principle of Measuring Blood Pressure with Mercury Sphygmomanometer340


A mercury sphygmomanometer is a device used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff, a mercury-filled column, and a pressure gauge. The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated until the blood flow in the brachial artery is occluded. The pressure in the cuff is then gradually released, and the point at which blood flow is restored is recorded as the systolic blood pressure. The point at which blood flow is completely occluded is recorded as the diastolic blood pressure.

The principle behind the mercury sphygmomanometer is the law of fluid dynamics, which states that the pressure exerted by a fluid is equal to the product of its density and the acceleration due to gravity. In the case of a mercury sphygmomanometer, the fluid is mercury, and the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s^2. The pressure exerted by the mercury column is therefore equal to the product of its density (13,600 kg/m^3) and the acceleration due to gravity:

P = ρgh

where:* P is the pressure in Pascals (Pa)
* ρ is the density of mercury in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m^3)
* g is the acceleration due to gravity in meters per second squared (m/s^2)
* h is the height of the mercury column in meters (m)

When the cuff is inflated, the pressure in the cuff is transmitted to the blood in the brachial artery. This pressure causes the blood to flow out of the artery and into the cuff. The height of the mercury column increases as the pressure in the cuff increases. When the pressure in the cuff is equal to the systolic blood pressure, the blood flow in the brachial artery is occluded. The height of the mercury column at this point is therefore equal to the systolic blood pressure.

When the pressure in the cuff is gradually released, the blood flow in the brachial artery is restored. The height of the mercury column decreases as the pressure in the cuff decreases. When the pressure in the cuff is equal to the diastolic blood pressure, the blood flow in the brachial artery is completely occluded. The height of the mercury column at this point is therefore equal to the diastolic blood pressure.

The mercury sphygmomanometer is a simple and accurate device for measuring blood pressure. It is still widely used in clinical practice, although it is being replaced by electronic blood pressure monitors in some settings.

2024-11-18


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