What is the function of a sphygmomanometer?

The sphygmomanometer is a device specifically designed to measure blood pressure, which involves determining the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. When the cuff of a sphygmomanometer is inflated around the arm, it temporarily occludes blood flow in the brachial artery. As the cuff is deflated, the device measures the pressure within the bladder of the cuff, which correlates with the systolic and diastolic pressures of the blood flow as it resumes.

When blood begins to flow back into the artery, the pressure readings from the sphygmomanometer provide vital information about cardiovascular health. It does not measure body temperature, listen to heart sounds, or assess respiratory rate, which involves entirely different techniques and instruments. Each of these functions is crucial in patient assessment but pertains to different aspects of health monitoring. The sphygmomanometer's primary role in measuring and indicating blood pressure is essential for diagnosing conditions such as hypertension and for monitoring overall cardiovascular status.