Vuorokausi

Vuorokausi is Finnish for a 24-hour period, commonly used to denote a full day. In everyday language it can refer to the calendar day from midnight to midnight, but in scientific and clinical contexts it is treated as a fixed 24-hour interval that may start at a defined reference time rather than strictly at midnight.

In biology, the concept is linked to the circadian rhythm, the roughly 24-hour cycle of physiological processes that responds to the light-dark environment. Finnish terms such as vuorokausirytmi describe this daily biological clock, which influences sleep, hormones, body temperature, and metabolism.

Usage of the unit varies with context. Data and measurements can be reported per vuorokausi to standardize comparisons across time, such as daily drug exposure or daily case counts. In clinical settings, a vuorokausi can be defined from a patient’s admission time, creating a rolling 24-hour assessment rather than relying strictly on calendar days.

Language note: while the frequency of a vuorokausi often aligns with calendar days in everyday speech, the precise start and end can be context dependent, especially in research, healthcare, or statistical reporting. Related concepts include vuorokausirytmi and the 24-hour clock, which underpin timekeeping and interpretation of daily cycles.