Central temperature regulation in the spinal man.

Abstract

Oxygen consumption was measured in quadriplegic patients while deep body cooling was induced by placing the insensitive lower part of the body into cold water or a surgical cooling blanket. When the central body temperature, as measured at the ear drum, fell to approximately 35.6[degree]C the patients began shivering in their innervated muscles and their O2 consumption increased in proportion to the further fall in temperature. Shivering and increased O2 consumption occurred with a fall in central temperature even when me sentient skin was kept warm (above 34[degree]C). It is inferred that deep temperature receptors sensitive to cold and able to initiate shivering are present in man and that these receptors can act independently of sentient skin stimulation.