Korotkoff sounds are tapping sounds produced by

Korotkoff sounds are tapping sounds produced by

• A. Turbulent blood flow in the arm beneath the cuff
• B. Laminar flow of blood through a normal artery
• C. Valve closure in the veins
• D. The heartbeat itself heard through the stethoscope

Answer: (A)

Korotkoff sounds come from turbulence generated as blood flows through an artery that is partially compressed by the cuff. When the cuff pressure falls below the systolic level, blood can squeeze through the narrowed arterial opening, creating turbulent flow that vibrates the artery and surrounding tissues. The stethoscope over the brachial artery then captures these tapping sounds. If the flow were simply laminar through a normal artery, it would be quiet, not tapping. The sounds aren’t due to valve closures in veins, and they aren’t the heartbeat sounds (S1/S2) heard elsewhere; those are separate phenomena.

Korotkoff sounds come from turbulence generated as blood flows through an artery that is partially compressed by the cuff. When the cuff pressure falls below the systolic level, blood can squeeze through the narrowed arterial opening, creating turbulent flow that vibrates the artery and surrounding tissues. The stethoscope over the brachial artery then captures these tapping sounds. If the flow were simply laminar through a normal artery, it would be quiet, not tapping. The sounds aren’t due to valve closures in veins, and they aren’t the heartbeat sounds (S1/S2) heard elsewhere; those are separate phenomena.