Parts of Clinical Thermometer

A clinical thermometer typically consists of several key parts:

• Bulb: The bulb, usually made of glass, contains a reservoir of mercury or alcohol. It is the part of the thermometer that comes into contact with the object or body whose temperature is being measured.
• Capillary Tube: A thin, sealed glass tube connected to the bulb. It allows the expansion and contraction of the liquid inside the bulb to be visibly displayed as a change in height.
• Scale: The capillary tube is marked with a temperature scale, usually in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F). The scale allows the user to read the temperature accurately.
• Graduations: The scale is divided into smaller units called graduations, each representing a specific temperature increment (e.g., 1°C or 0.2°F). These graduations help in precise temperature measurement.
• Thermometric Liquid: The liquid (often mercury or alcohol) inside the bulb and capillary tube expands and contracts with changes in temperature, causing it to rise or fall within the tube.
• Thermometric Fluid Enclosure: A sealed system that prevents the thermometric liquid from evaporating or escaping, ensuring the accuracy and longevity of the thermometer.

These parts work together to allow the user to accurately measure and read temperatures, particularly in clinical settings such as monitoring body temperature for signs of fever or illness.

A clinical thermometer diagram typically features a slender, sealed glass tube with a bulb at one end containing mercury or alcohol. It includes a temperature scale, often in Celsius or Fahrenheit, marked along the length of the tube. The scale indicates body temperature when the thermometer is placed under the tongue, armpit, or rectum.

The labeled diagram of the Clinical thermometer with its parts is shown below: