What is the Origin of Physiological Homeostasis Maintenance?

The concept of "homeostasis" was coined by physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon, building on Claude Bernard's idea of the milieu intérieur, or internal environment. It is derived from the Greek words homoios (similar) and stasis (standing still), though it is now understood as a dynamic, rather than static, equilibrium. The term "maintenance" emphasizes the active, energy-requiring nature of this regulatory work.

What is the Mechanism of Physiological Homeostasis Maintenance?

Maintenance is achieved through complex negative feedback loops, where a deviation from the established set point triggers a compensatory response that reverses the initial change. For example, a drop in thyroid hormone (TH) triggers the release of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) from the pituitary, increasing TH production. The endocrine system plays a central role by providing the systemic chemical messengers that coordinate these corrective actions across distant tissues, ensuring whole-body stability and functional coherence.

Physiological Homeostasis Maintenance ∞ Area

Physiological Homeostasis Maintenance

Meaning

Physiological Homeostasis Maintenance is the dynamic, continuous process of self-regulation by which the body actively preserves internal stability across a multitude of interconnected variables, such as body temperature, blood glucose concentration, and fluid balance, despite external environmental changes. This maintenance is fundamental to health, representing the successful coordination of the nervous, endocrine, and organ systems to keep all biological parameters within their optimal functional range. The capacity for this maintenance declines with age and chronic stress.