Which Hypothalamic Areas Control Sweating and Shivering?

Different parts of the hypothalamus are responsible for controlling specific thermoregulatory responses such as sweating and shivering.

1. Anterior Hypothalamus (Heat-Loss Center): This area regulates sweating and vasodilation when body temperature rises.

• When blood temperature increases, the anterior hypothalamus stimulates sweat glands to secrete sweat.
• Evaporation of sweat from the skin surface cools the body.
• It also dilates blood vessels near the skin, increasing heat loss.

2. Posterior Hypothalamus (Heat-Gain Center): This region becomes active when the body’s temperature falls.

• It triggers shivering — rapid, involuntary muscle contractions that generate heat.
• It also causes vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin and minimizing heat loss.

These two centers work together through a negative feedback mechanism. For example, once the body cools down after sweating, the anterior hypothalamus stops stimulating sweat glands. Similarly, when the body warms up after shivering, the posterior hypothalamus reduces muscle activity.

Hence, the anterior hypothalamus controls sweating, while the posterior hypothalamus controls shivering, maintaining the body’s internal temperature balance.