# Thermoregulation --- **Thermoregulation** is the sum of the body's process that maintain it's core [[body temperature]] in a stable, [[homeostasis|homeostatic]] range. ## The Skin's Role in Thermoregulation The [[skin]] is vital in thermoregulation for it's ability to control blood flow to the surface of the body and it's ability so produce sweat. The skin can **cool off** body temperature by dilating blood vessels. It has a large surface area for [[blood vessels|blood vessels]] to pump warm blood near the surface to radiate away, or can, conversely, close up the blood vessels to keep the warm blood in the core. There are four main methods which heat can leave the body: - Radiation: heat transfer occurs through [[electromagnetic spectrum|electromagnetic waves]] without involving particles. - Convection: heat transfer occurs an object and a fluid (such as the air). - Conduction: heat transfer occurs between objects by direct contact, like if you use a ice pack on your forehead. - Evaporation: heat transfer happens from the surface to a liquid, which acts as a heat sink when it undergoes a state change to gas. This is why we [[sweat glands|sweat]], ## The Lungs' Role in Thermoregulation The [[lungs]] play an important role in thermoregulation because it can dump heat in the expiration air. Taking a couple deep breaths can actually lower temperature if you've been breathing slowly, like during sleep. ___