Information from Central and Peripheral Meat-Sensitive Neurons Is Integrated in the Hypothalamus to Regulate Heat-Losing or Heat- Conserving Mechanisms

Figure 53-6 shows the feedback control mechanisms for the regulation of body temperature. Ontral integration of the information from various receptors occurs in the anterior hypothalamus.

In the regulation of body temperature, the hypothalamus behaves as if it has a normal set point. When the core tem­perature rises above the set point, heat-losing mechanisms are initiated; when temperature decreases, heat conservation or production begins. Information from peripheral receptors modifies the set point, and thus shivering begins at a higher core temperature when the skin is cool than when it is warm. Similarly, sweating is initiated at a higher core temperature when the skin is cool than when it is warm.