What is the use of Kink in a Clinical Thermometer?

What is the use of kink in a clinical thermometer?

If you have ever used a clinical thermometer, you will notice that there is a slight kink near the tip. There is a very concrete reason for its existence. Let us take a look at why it is there in clinical thermometers. 

1. To mark the reading and prevent it from changing.
2. To prevent mercury level from falling down when taken out of the mouth or part of the body used for temperature measurement. 

If the kink was not there, it would have been very difficult to take an accurate reading. This is because the mercury level would otherwise fall down, and considering that the clinical thermometer is used in the mouth or other places, it might get difficult to get a reading. 

On the other hand, thermometers used in the laboratories and for research purposes have a wider range of temperatures and do not have a kink. 

They are used in such a manner that the temperature of a body can be read while it is being used. They need not be placed in positions that make it difficult for them to be read and understood.