Oral & Axilla Temperature

The average normal human oral temperature is 36.9.



In general, for the same individual:

Axilla (armpit) temperature is usually 0.3 to 0.6 lower than an oral temperature.

Oral temperature is about 0.3 to 0.6 lower than a rectal or ear (tympanic) temperature.

Conversely, Tympanic (ear) and Rectal temperatures are 0.3 to 0.6 higher than oral temperature.

The following table shows the normal ranges for human temperature taken using different routes as reported by Sund-Levander M, Forsberg C, Wahren LK.:

While debate remains as to whether 'core body temperature' taken using the rectal route best reflect the body's 'true' internal temperature, factors like:
embarrassment to the patient,
inconvenience to the patient and nurse,
ease of use for the nurse,
expediency and
speed and accuracy in obtaining temperature readings, etc

All mean that tympanic thermometers are favoured in adult wards as the temperature can be obtained in ONE second instead of waiting for a minute or even longer for an electronic oral thermometer.

However, axilla temperature is taken using electronic themometers for children under 6 months in pediatrics wards since their ear canals are still not large enough to accomodate a regular tympanic thermometer.