Sphygmograph
Sphygmograph
The Sphygmograph (/sfɪɡˈmɒɡræf/; from the Greek words for "pulse" and "write") is a mechanical device used to measure blood pressure and pulse waveforms. It was invented in the 19th century by German physiologist Karl von Vierordt.
Etymology
The term "Sphygmograph" is derived from the Greek words "sphygmos" (σφυγμός), meaning "pulse", and "grapho" (γράφω), meaning "I write". Thus, the term literally translates to "I write the pulse".
History
The Sphygmograph was first developed by Karl von Vierordt in 1854. The device was later improved upon by Étienne-Jules Marey, a French scientist, who made it portable and suitable for medical use.
Function
The Sphygmograph operates by using a lever to press a small, flat metal plate against the skin above a patient's artery. The pressure changes in the artery cause the plate to move, which in turn moves the lever. This movement is then recorded on a rotating drum covered with smoked paper, creating a visual representation of the patient's pulse.
Related Terms
- Blood Pressure: The pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
- Pulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart.
- Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body.
- Physiology: The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sphygmograph
- Wikipedia's article - Sphygmograph
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