thermoregulation

[ thur-moh-reg-yuh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

, Physiology.

1. the regulation of body temperature.

thermoregulation

/ thûr′mō-rĕg′yə-lā′shən /

1. Maintenance of a constant internal body temperature independent of the environmental temperature. Thermoregulation in humans is effected through metabolic activity and sweating.

Other Words From

• ther·mo·reg·u·la·to·ry [thur-moh-, reg, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermoregulation¹

First recorded in 1925–30; thermo- + regulation

Example Sentences

Tony Wolf, a postdoctoral scholar at Pennsylvania State University's Noll Lab who studies thermoregulation and microvascular physiology, told Salon in 2022 that the cardiovascular system struggles to help the body regulate its internal temperature when an overheated person can no longer easily redistribute heat between internal organs.

From Salon

"We have identified readily available strategies to improve thermoregulation and improve sheep fertility during summer," says Associate Professor van Wettere.

From Science Daily

The researchers are now investigating whether selectively breeding animals which thermoregulate more effectively can improve the climate resilience of sheep flocks, and how sheep thermoregulation and behaviour affect fertility during periods of heat.

From Science Daily

Butterflies in both countries switch from heat-seeking to heat-avoiding behaviour once air temperatures reach approximately 22°C. However, the communities differ in the use of buffering mechanisms, with British populations depending more on microclimates for thermoregulation compared to Catalan populations.

From Science Daily

Blood, an essential component of thermoregulation, normally distributes heat all over the body; in extreme cold, the sympathetic nervous system reduces blood flow to the skin to preserve warmth in the body.

From Scientific American