Temperature regulation

The skin is the organ of temperature regulation. Whilst thermoregulation (the maintenance of core body temperature at 37°C) is under the control of the hypothalamus, the receptors for temperature are found in the skin and likewise it is the structures within the skin that allow for heat conservation or heat loss. The mechanism involves stimulation of peripheral temperature receptors in the skin, which in turn affect the hypothalamus and the sympathetic nervous system which acts directly on the peripheral blood vessels in the skin. Vasoconstriction of the peripheral vasculature leads to heat conservation and vasodilation to heat loss.