Thermal Exchanges in Man

Abstract

Man regulates his internal body temperature within a normal range, with limits around 37°C. This endothermia relates only to the internal part of the body (core), as the peripheral part, represented by the skin, can vary greatly (from a few degrees up to 44°C).

Regulation of the body temperature at a constant level is under the control of the thermoregulatory system located within the hypothalamus. The hypothalamic centres also sensitive to the circulating blood temperature are constantly informed of the thermal state of the various parts of the body. For that purpose there are peripheral (cutaneous) thermoreceptors which respond specifically to warm or cold stimulation. Some of these sensors operate in a static mode (temperature level), whilst others operate in a dynamic mode (rate of temperature change) or both. The various thermal information is integrated inside the thermoregulatory centre, which is sensitive according to the thermostat principle (with a set point at 37°C) to any deviation perceived compared to the set point (error signal) and triggers the thermoregulatory reactions involved in the adaptation to increased cold or heat.

This chapter was originally published under the ISBN 978-3-540-01771-4. The content has not been changed.