Core temperature
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Core temperature is the operating temperature of an organism, specifically in deep structures of the body such as the liver, in comparison to temperatures of peripheral tissues. Temperature control (thermoregulation) is part of a homeostatic mechanism designed to keep the organism at optimum operating temperature, as it affects the rate of chemical reactions. In humans this optimum temperature is . The condition of being at optimum temperature is called afebrile or apyrexic.
Temperature examination in the rectum is the traditional gold standard measurement used to estimate core temperature (oral temperature is affected by hot or cold drinks and mouth-breathing). The recent introduction of ear temperature measurement may also accurately reflect core body temperature particularly since the eardrum shares blood supply with the temperature control center in the brain, the hypothalamus.
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