6
English
5.4 Why measure in the ear?
Clinical studies have shown that the ear is an excellent site for
temperature measurement because temperatures taken in the ear
reflect the body’s core temperature
1
. Body temperature is regulated
by the hypothalamus
2
, which shares the same blood supply as the
tympanic membrane
3
. Changes in core body temperature are usually
seen sooner at the tympanic membrane than at other sites, such as the
rectum, mouth or under the arm. Advantages of taking temperatures at
the ear versus traditional sites:
• Axillary temperature measurements reflect skin temperature which
may not reliably indicate the internal body temperature.
• Rectal temperatures often lag significantly behind internal body temperature changes, especially
at times of rapidly changing temperatures. Also, there is a risk of cross contamination.
• Oral temperatures are often influenced by eating, drinking, thermometer placement, breathing
through the mouth, or the inability of the person to close their mouth completely.
1. GUYTON A C, TEXTBOOK OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY, W.B. SAUNDERS, PHILADELPHIA, 1996, P 919
2. GUYTON A C, TEXTBOOK OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY, W.B. SAUNDERS, PHILADELPHIA, 1996, P 754-5
3. NETTER H F, ATLAS OF HUMAN ANATOMY, NOVARTIS MEDICAL EDUCATION, EAST HANOVER, NJ, 1997, PP 63, 95.
To Next Page
Loading...
