Final answer:
Core temperature is the internal temperature of the body, regulated by the hypothalamus, while shell temperature refers to the body's surface temperature. Hypothermia is a dangerously low core temperature, and hyperthermia is an elevated core temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Core temperature refers to the temperature of the body's internal environment, which remains steady at around 36.5-37.5 °C (97.7-99.5 °F). Shell temperature is the temperature of the body at its extremities like the skin, hands, and feet. The hypothalamus in the brain regulates this core temperature, acting as the body's thermostat to initiate cooling processes like sweating or heating mechanisms such as shivering.
Hypothermia is a dangerous decrease in core body temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F), which can lead to serious health consequences such as confusion, lethargy, and in extreme cases, loss of consciousness and death. Hyperthermia refers to an elevated body temperature above the normal core temperature range, which can also have severe health implications if not promptly managed.