An instrument for measuring blood pressure, particularly in arteries.

The two types of sphygmomanometers are a mercury column and a gauge with a dial face.

The sphygmomanometer in most frequent use today consists of a gauge attached to a rubber cuff which is wrapped around the upper arm and is inflated to constrict the arteries.

The sphygmomanometer was introduced in 1889 by the Italian physician Scipione Riva-Rocci (1863-1937).

The American physiologist Joseph Erlanger (1874-1965) studied the principles of sphygmomanometry and devised a recording sphygmomanometer.

The word sphygmomanometer was put together from the Greek sphygmos, "the beating of the heart" or "the pulse" + manometer, "a device for measuring pressure or tension".