The continuous, active process by which the human body regulates its internal physiological environment to sustain life-compatible conditions despite constant external and internal fluctuations. This state is not static but involves perpetual adjustments across multiple organ systems, representing the essence of biological homeostasis. Successful maintenance is fundamental for metabolic stability, temperature regulation, and overall health.
Origin
The term builds upon the foundational physiological concept of homeostasis, coined by Walter Bradford Cannon, describing the stability of the internal environment. The inclusion of ‘dynamic equilibrium’ emphasizes the energy-requiring, actively shifting nature of this balance, differentiating it from a passive, fixed state. This perspective is central to understanding adaptive capacity in clinical endocrinology.
Mechanism
The endocrine, nervous, and immune systems collaborate through complex, interconnected feedback loops to achieve this maintenance. Hormones, as chemical messengers, are central regulators, modulating cellular activity to correct deviations from the set point. For instance, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis manages stress responses, rapidly adjusting cortisol and catecholamine release to restore systemic balance.
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