Heat loss mechanisms — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: The _____ hypothalamus senses decreased body temperatures and mediates responses to conserve heat

Answer: posterior

Flashcard 2: What is the primary mechanism regulating blood flow to the skin?

Answer: Sympathetic innervation

Extra: Skin blood flow is primarily under extrinsic (sympathetic) control for the purpose of thermoregulation. Unlike the heart, brain, and kidneys, the skin exhibits minimal intrinsic autoregulation.

Flashcard 3: Exposure to cold temperatures causes _____ sympathetic nervous system activity

Answer: increased

Flashcard 4: Mechanisms for dissipating heat are coordinated in the _____ hypothalamus

Answer: anterior

Flashcard 5: In heat stroke, the hypothalamic set point is _____

Answer: normal

Flashcard 6: Hypothalamic center responsible for thermoregulation against HEATING:

Answer: Anterior hypothalamus (Preoptic area) :: center for cooling?

Extra: The anterior hypothalamus/preoptic area (AH/POA) handles heat dissipation (cooling), while the posterior hypothalamus handles heat conservation (heating). Remember: A/C = Anterior Cooling.

Flashcard 7: Hypothalamic center for heat dissipation (cooling)

Answer: Anterior hypothalamus (Preoptic area)

Extra: Mnemonic: Anterior = Cooling (A/C) Posterior = Heating (P/H)

Flashcard 8: What is the effect of the cytokines released by activated macrophages?

Answer: fever, hypotension