[Mechanisms Underlying Thermosensation].

The ability to sense ambient temperatures is essential for human survival. Sensory nerve endings contain ion channels that are activated by temperature stimuli, which lead to cation influx and depolarization with consequent action potential generation via activation of voltage-gated Na+ channels. Thermosensitive transient receptor potential channels play a key role in cation channels. In addition to sensory neurons, the skin is known to detect ambient temperatures. Furthermore, hypothalamic neurons directly detect brain temperature.