kehonlämmön

Kehonlämmön, or body temperature, refers to the heat of the human body. Maintaining a stable internal temperature is crucial for the proper functioning of our physiological processes. The typical normal body temperature for humans is around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), although this can vary slightly from person to person and throughout the day.

Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that acts like a thermostat. It receives signals from the body about its temperature and initiates responses to either generate heat or dissipate it. When the body is too cold, mechanisms like shivering (involuntary muscle contractions) and vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) help conserve heat. Conversely, when the body is too warm, responses such as sweating (evaporation cools the skin) and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) promote heat loss.

Fluctuations in body temperature can indicate various physiological states or health conditions. A slight increase, known as a fever, is often a sign that the body is fighting off an infection. A significant drop in body temperature, called hypothermia, can be dangerous and occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Conversely, hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature, can result from prolonged exposure to heat or strenuous activity. Monitoring body temperature is a common diagnostic tool in healthcare.