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Reversibl
e
Temperature
NonReversible
55C
Temperature
affects
metabolism (and Ps) of
organisms by affecting the
speeds of chemical reactions
and the effectiveness of
enzymes.
Thermal Conditions
The Hypothalamus
The Bodys Thermostat
Increased core
temperature
Anterior hypothalamus
Commencement of
sweating
Increased skin blood flow
Cold exposure
Posterior hypothalamus
Increase heat
production
Shivering
Mechanisms of Heat
Transfer
Radiation:
Infrared radiation.
Conduction:
Direct transfer of energy through physical
contact.
Convection:
Heat loss to air around the human body.
Evaporation:
Energy change in water molecule from liquid
to vapor.
Hypothalamic Regulation of
Core Temperature
The hypothalamus contains the central
coordination center for temperature
regulation. It initiates the responses that keep
the body from overheating or overcooling
Heat-regulating mechanisms are activated by
either:
COLD
HOT
Core Temperature
27o C
37o C
47o C
37o C
47o C
Normal
33-34o C
Skin Temperature
27o C
Normal
27o C
37o C
Skin temperature
27o C
47o C
Hot 38o C
37o C
47o C
27o C
37o C
Cold 30o C
27o C
Core temperature
47o C
Skin temperature
37o C
47o C
0-5
15
32 - 33
No sensation
Sensation of cold
33 - 34
Comfort Zone
35 - 37
Sensation of warm
35-39
Sensation of heat
39 - 41
Pain
41 - 43
45
* in degrees Celcius
OH-OH!
AHHH!
OUCH!!!
Various Sites
to Measure
Skin
Temperature
Temperature Assessment
Equipment:
Electronic thermometer
Tympanic membrane thermometer
Glass thermometer
Disposable single-use thermometer
Temperature-sensitive patch or tape
Automated monitoring devices
Definitions
Fever elevation of body
temperature due to a resetting of
the hypothalamic thermoregulatory
center
Hyperthermia elevation of body
temperature due to inadequate
compensation by normal heat-loss
mechanisms
Definitions
(cont.)
Definitions
(cont.)
What is a normal temperature?
Nothing magic about 98.6 oF (37oC)
Upper limit of normal extends to
100.2oF (37.9oC) in children
Person-to-person variations of normal
Circadian variations of normal
100.4oF (38.0oC) or above is considered
a fever
Pathophysiology
of Fever
Pathophysiology
of Fever
Analogy to the thermostat on your
homes heater
In a normal
equilibrium,
the
thermostat is
set to an
ideal or
normal
temperature
Pathophysiology
of Fever
When someone turns the thermostat up, the
furnace comes on, and the temperature begins to
rise:
Pathophysiology
of Fever
Similarly, in the human, when a pyrogen resets the
hypothalamic thermostat, the bodys furnace
comes on, and the temperature rises:
Shivering
Goose bumps
Cutaneous
vasoconstriction
Sensation of
feeling cold
Pathophysiology
of Fever
Pathophysiology of
Fever
Continuing the analogy to your
home thermostat:
When the
thermostat is
reset to
normal, the
furnace goes
off and the
house cools
Pathophysiology
of Fever
When the hypothalamic thermostat is reset to
normal (such as when antipyretic medication is
given, or the illness ends), the body begins to cool
and the temperature returns to normal:
Sweating
Cutaneous
vasodilitation
Sensation of
feeling hot
Pathophysiology
of Fever