Jump to content

A very basic question about the brain

Featured Replies

Why doesn't the brain overheat within the confines of the skull? Alt. how does the brain cool itself down effectively, despite being surrounded mostly by thick bone?

 

My guesses are that the brain doesn't produce that much heat, and maybe something to do with the layer of fluid between the brain and skull.

Via the bloodstream using vasodilation and vasoconstriction i think: the former for when it's getting too hot and the latter for when it's too cold.

  • Author

OK thanks. I suppose it's not actually that different from other internal places in the body, I just mistakenly viewed the skull as having a significant impact against homoeostasis; as though internal organs could only cool by losing heat from the body surface.

 

What's the chances of this news coming up just when I'm asking questions about the brain:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23863544

By yawning and not being in your body where it is really hot also I think you lose something like 60% of heat out of your head (the last on may be a myth but what i'm saying is a lot of heat is lost from your by head which means it might not get terribly hot up there anyway).

  • 1 month later...

Same way temperature homeostasis is accomplished

  • 1 month later...

Why do certain parts of a properly operating gasoline engine not overheat? The cooling system, usually a fluid , circulates thereby removing or adding heat as needed. Actually, brain tissue is quite metabolically active. Even the cooling evaporation of sweat must be fed by transport of blood.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.