Body measurements

Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses hot and cold. The standard in most other countries is degrees celsius. The normal axillary temperature range is approximately between 347 c and 373 c. Ear temperature measurement may be acceptable for observing trends in body temperature but is less useful in consistently identifying fevers. In the united states temperatures are often measured in degrees fahrenheit. However this is only possible up to a certain body mass and this type of measurement also takes a long time.

The normal body temperature for an adult is around 986f 37c but every persons baseline body temperature is slightly different and may consistently be a little higher or lower. Most people think a normal body temperature is an oral temperature by mouth of 986f. Temperature is measured with a thermometerthermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically. Medical research hasnt determined an exact correlation between oral rectal ear armpit and forehead temperature measurements. It is the manifestation of thermal energy present in all matter which is the source of the occurrence of heat a flow of energy when a body is in contact with another that is colder. In adult patients the temperature of an axillary measurement is lower than a rectal measurement up to 19 c.

Until recently direct measurement of core body temperature required surgical insertion of a probe so a variety of indirect methods have commonly been used. Thermometers show body temperature in either degrees fahrenheit f or degrees celsius c. But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use and you need an accurate body temperature to determine if a fever is present.