EFFECT OF AMBIENT-TEMPERATURE ON THERMAL PROFILE OF HUMAN FOREARM, HAND, AND FINGERS

Forearm, hand and finger skin temperatures were measured on the right and left sides of 7 resting men. The purpose was to determine the bilateral symmetry of these segmental temperature profiles at ambient temperatures from 10-45.degree. C. Thermistors placed on the right and left forearms, hands and index fingers were used to monitor the subjects until equilibration was reached at each ambient temperature. Additionally, thermal profiles of both hands were measured with copper-constantan thermocouples. During 1 experimental condition (23.degree. C ambient), rectal, ear canal and 24 skin temperatures were measured on each subject. Average body and average skin temperatures are given for each subject at the 23.degree. C ambient condition. Detailed thermal profiles are also presented for the dorsal, ventral and circumferential left forearm, hand and finger skin temperatures at 23.degree. C ambient temperature. No significant differences were found between the mean skin temperatures of the right and left contralateral segments at any of the selected ambient temperatures.