Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Commonly used in medicine, the word decubitus is used to mean lying down. It is derived from the Latin verb âdecumbereâ meaning to lie down.
The brain regulates metabolism and manages other functions to keep your body temperature within a normal range. But the brain can only do so much, and a host of outside factors can affect your body temperature. Controlling and managing these outside factors is key to maintaining a normal body temperature.
Body temperature norms. Normal body temperature varies by person, age, activity, and time of day. The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6Â°F (37Â°C). Some studies have shown that the normal body temperature can have a wide range, from 97Â°F (36.1Â°C) to 99Â°F (37.2Â°C). A temperature over 100.4Â°F (38Â°C) most often means you have a fever caused by an infection or illness.