WHAT IS BODY TEMPERATURE ?
Body temperature refers to the internal temperature of the body (core temperature). Normal
human body temperature means that of a healthy person. Body temperature is likely to
change depending on when, where and to whom the measurement is made. There are
different factors that have effects on body temperature, including time of the day,
temperature of surrounding place, and level of activity of a person. Different parts of the
body (such as mouth, armpit, rectum, ear, and forehead) have different temperatures, and
improper measurement may cause different body temperature. In addition, smoking,
ovulation, pregnancy, and age can also affect body temperature. It is, therefore,
recommended that a person keep a record of his or her own normal body temperature after
measuring several times at the same condition. Measurement in thick clothes in a warm day
or after workout can make body temperature a bit higher. What makes body temperature
constant is central nerves in the hypothalamus of the brain. If body temperature rises,
central nerves in the hypothalamus inhibit body temperature rise by expanding skin's blood
vessels and making sweat glands sweat more than usual, which cools body off. On the
contrary, at lower body temperature, they block heat loss by contracting blood vessels,
which inhibits blood flow, and stopping sweating. Human body temperature is always
constant due to balancing heat gain between heat loss.
Normal temperature ranges -
by point of measurement ¹⁾
Normal temperature ranges -
by age ²⁾
Axillary 34.7~37.3℃ 0~2years 36.4~38.0℃
Oral 35.5~37.5℃ 3~10years 35.5~37.5℃
Ear 35.8~38.0℃ 11~65years 35.8~38.0℃
Rectal 36.6~38.0℃ > 65years 36.6~38.0℃
1) Chamberlain, J.M., MD, and Terndrup, T.E., MD, "New Light on Ear
Thermometer Readings", Contemporary Pediatrics; March, 1994.
2) Chamberlain, J.M., MD, and Terndrup, T.E., MD, "Determination of Normal Ear
Temperature with an Infrared Emission Detection Thermometer", Annals of
Emergency Medicine; Januay 1995.
A person's body part temperature range shown above is summed up from excerpts of data
in clinical tests, and minimum and maximum body part temperature may be varied from
person to person.
