Background and Identification

The clinical thermometer is one of the essential tools of the clinical examination. It is used to read the temperature of the patient and assess if the patient has a fever. The temperature is taken by inserting the tip of the thermometer into the patients mouth and inserted under the patients tongue typically, though they can also be put under the armpit, into the rectum, into the ear and on the forehead. If the temperature is above a normal range of 36.3 to 37.5 °C, this suggests illness.

Mercury thermometers were the standard for years for taking temperatures. Now, doctors offices use digital, tympanic and temporal artery thermometers more regularly.

Additional Information