A CRITICAL REVIEW ON TEMPERATURE REGULATION AND ITS CONTROL BY HYPOTHALAMUS

Abstract

Temperature regulation is a vital physiological process that maintains homeostasis by balancing heat production and loss in the body. The hypothalamus acts as the central regulator of body temperature, integrating signals from peripheral thermoreceptors in the skin and core thermoreceptors within the body. It coordinates responses to environmental and internal temperature changes, ensuring the maintenance of optimal body temperature for enzymatic and metabolic activities. Mechanisms such as vasodilation, vasoconstriction, shivering, and sweating are governed by hypothalamic control to counteract heat stress or cold exposure.

This critical review explores the intricate mechanisms of temperature regulation and the role of the hypothalamus in modulating thermoregulatory responses. The hypothalamic preoptic area is highlighted as the principal site for thermosensation and integration. Disorders of temperature regulation, such as hyperthermia, hypothermia, and fever, are discussed in the context of hypothalamic dysfunction. Advancements in research on hypothalamic pathways and neurochemical mediators, including prostaglandins and cytokines, are reviewed to provide insights into therapeutic interventions for temperature-related disorders.

This review underscores the importance of hypothalamic control in maintaining thermal homeostasis and its implications for health and disease, particularly in pathological states like fever and heatstroke.