Shivering
Shivering
Shivering (/ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/) is a bodily function in response to cold in humans and other warm-blooded animals. It involves involuntary contraction and relaxation of the muscles, which produces heat to warm the body.
Etymology
The term "shivering" comes from the Old English word "scifrian", which means "to tremble". It is related to the German word "schütteln", which means "to shake".
Mechanism
Shivering is a mechanism of thermoregulation, the process by which the body maintains its core internal temperature. When the body is exposed to cold, it triggers the shivering reflex. This involves rapid contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles, which generates heat as a byproduct of increased metabolic activity.
Related Terms
- Hypothermia: A medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
- Fever: A temporary increase in your body temperature, often due to an illness.
- Thermoregulation: The process that allows your body to maintain its core internal temperature.
- Chills: An episode of shivering accompanied by a feeling of coldness (often strong and sudden).
- Goosebumps: The phenomenon where tiny muscles at the base of each hair contract, causing the hair to stand up.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Shivering
- Wikipedia's article - Shivering
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