HealthJuly 10, 2026
thermoregulation
/ˌθɜːrmoʊˌrɛɡjuˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The biological process by which an organism maintains its internal body temperature within a stable range, especially in response to external environmental heat.
Etymology
The word is a combination of the Greek 'thermos' (heat) and the Latin 'regulare' (to control or rule). It emerged in the late 19th century as a technical term to describe the physiological mechanisms of temperature control in living beings.
In the news
The article explains that older adults may have impaired thermoregulation, making them more vulnerable to the physiological stress and mental health risks triggered by extreme heatwaves.
Older adults face greater risk of mental health hospitalizations during extreme heatwaves
Read the full article ↗News-Medical