What temperature is considered 1 degree lower than a normal oral temperature?

A normal oral temperature is typically around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). An axillary temperature, which is taken from the armpit, is generally about 1 degree lower than that of an oral temperature. This is due to the fact that the axillary method measures temperature in a location that is less insulated from environmental factors and blood flow patterns than the mouth, where oral temperatures are taken.

This difference allows for the axillary temperature to serve as a useful alternative in situations where taking an oral temperature may not be practical. While rectal temperatures are often higher than oral temperatures, and core body temperature is not a specific site measurement but rather a general term for body temperature taken at the body's core, axillary measurement is considered specifically lower than oral temperature. Ear temperature measurements typically fall within a range similar to or slightly above oral temperatures depending on the technique used.

Therefore, the selection of axillary temperature accurately reflects the context of measuring temperature in a location that results in a reading about 1 degree lower than the typical oral measurement.