An instrument that measures the speed or velocity of blood flow through blood vessels.
From 'hemo-' (blood) + Greek 'dromos' (running/course) + '-meter' (measure). Created in the 19th century as physicians sought to quantify circulatory function, combining Greek elements following the pattern of devices like 'speedometer'.
Before modern ultrasound, doctors needed clever mechanical devices to figure out if blood was moving too slowly through arteries—fast enough flow could mean a healthy heart, while sluggish flow might signal trouble ahead.
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