Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) Practice Test

Body temperature is regulated by which part of the brain?

1. Cerebellum

2. Pons

3. Hypothalamus

4. Medulla oblongata

The correct answer is: Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, serving as the body's thermostat. It maintains temperature homeostasis by monitoring the temperature of the blood as well as receiving input from peripheral thermoreceptors located in the skin. When the body's temperature deviates from the set point, the hypothalamus initiates physiological responses to restore balance, such as triggering sweating to cool down or shivering to generate heat. Its functions are vital for overall homeostasis and metabolic processes. Other parts of the brain have different roles; for example, the cerebellum primarily coordinates muscle movements and maintains posture and balance, whereas the pons is involved in regulating breathing and communication between different parts of the brain. The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions like heart rate and blood pressure but does not have a direct role in temperature regulation like the hypothalamus does.