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Temperature Measurement Sites

Temperature Measurement Sites

A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

Here is a stepwise guide to assessing the body temperature at the temporal artery using a temporal artery thermometer
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...

Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature

Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature

Body temperature can be assessed using various devices and measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general,...

Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla

Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla

Procedural Guide for Assessing Axillary Body Temperature using a Digital Thermometer:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal

Rectal temperature measurement is considered the most precise method for assessing core body temperature and typically registers higher than oral temperature. For adults, the rectal thermometer should be inserted 1 to 1.5 inches into the rectum to obtain the most accurate reading.
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...

Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane

Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane

Assessing tympanic membrane temperature involves using a tympanic membrane thermometer (TMT). Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Begin by practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
Step 2: Turn on the thermometer and wait until the ready sign appears on the screen to ensure accurate measurement.
Step 3: Slide the probe cover in place to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Instruct the patient to tilt their head to the side for comfort and check for cerumen...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise

Published on: October 7, 2015

Temporal artery temperature measurements do not detect hyperthermic marathon runners.

Kevin Ronneberg¹, William O Roberts, Alexander Duncan McBean

¹Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care, Wyoming, MN, USA.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

|July 11, 2008

Summary

Temporal artery thermometers (TAT) are unreliable for assessing core body temperature in collapsed marathon runners. Rectal temperature (T(rectal)) is the standard, as TAT measurements failed to accurately identify hyperthermic athletes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise

Published on: October 7, 2015

Area of Science:

Sports Medicine
Environmental Physiology
Clinical Thermometry

Background:

Exertional heat stroke is a critical concern for marathon runners.
Rectal temperature (T(rectal)) is the standard for core body temperature assessment in collapsed athletes.
Temporal artery thermometer (TAT) use in this population is unvalidated.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the accuracy of TAT measurements against T(rectal) in collapsed marathon runners.
To evaluate TAT's utility in identifying hyperthermia in athletes post-race.

Main Methods:

Temporal artery thermometer (TAT-500i) measurements were taken on 60 collapsed marathon runners.
Rectal temperature (T(rectal)) measurements were simultaneously obtained in the medical tent.
Data collected during two consecutive annual marathon races.

Main Results:

TAT identified only 2 of 17 hyperthermic runners (sensitivity 0.12).
Low correlation (r=0.28) between T(rectal) and TAT in hyperthermic runners.
No correlation (r=-0.14) between T(rectal) and TAT in normothermic runners.

Conclusions:

TAT measurements show poor agreement with T(rectal) in collapsed marathon runners.
TAT is ineffective for identifying hyperthermia in this athletic group.
TAT should not be used for core temperature assessment or treatment decisions in potential exertional heat stroke cases.