Thermoregulation Flashcards
Describe normal variation on core body temperature
Normal body temperature is 36.5-37.5 degrees C
Normal temperature: Tsetpoint - Tcore
Changes to T set point lead to changes in Tcore
Circadian rhythms varies temperature by 1 degree for sleep due to endogenous rhythms
What is core temperature?
Temperature of abdominal, thoracic and intracranial regions. It is regulated by heat transfer with shell and maintained within a couple of degrees of set point
What is set point?
Regulated by prostaglandins. The target temperature to be maintained, baseline temperature which physiological mechanisms work to regulate. Monitored by hypothalamus.
What is the shell temperature? How is it regulated?
Temperature of skin, subcutaneous fat and limb.
Regulated through changes in perfusion - vasodilation to increase blood flow, vasoconstriction to decrease blood flow, increase or decrease sweating
How to measure temperature? Worst to best
Axilla
Tympanic/skin
Oral
Rectal
Esophageal
Mixed venous blood
Explain the thermoregulatory mechanisms of heat loss
Evaporation
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Explain the thermoregulatory mechanisms of sweating
Explain the thermoregulatory mechanisms of vasoconstriction
What is conduction
Direct transfer of heat between objects in contact
What is convection?
Transfer of thermal energy to moving fluid and gas
What is radiation
Transfer of thermal energy via electromagnetic radiation
What is evaporation?
Transfer of thermal energy as latent heat of evaporation
What is relative humidity?
Percentage of water vapour present in air compared to max possible at that temperature
Explain the thermoregulatory mechanisms of heat gain
Environmental
Thyroid hormones (increased basal metabolic rate)
Catabolism of food
Postural changes
Convection
Conduction
Radiation
Shivering
Basal metabolic activity
What factors affect heat exchange?
Vapour/temperature pressure gradient - skin and environment
Surface area:volume
Wind speed
Insulation
Pilo-erection
Shivering
Skin blood flow
Behaviour