What physiological response occurs when the body is overheated?

When the body is overheated, thermoregulation occurs in response to high temperatures to help maintain a stable internal environment. This mechanism involves various physiological processes aimed at dissipating excess heat and cooling the body down.

One primary method involves sweating; as sweat evaporates from the skin's surface, it cools the body. Additionally, blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate, allowing more blood to flow to these areas, which enhances heat loss. This process is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, especially during exercise or in hot environments, and is vital to prevent overheating, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

In contrast, options such as shivering or vasoconstriction are responses to being cold and aim to conserve heat rather than release it. Thus, they are not applicable in the context of an overheated body.