What is the effect of cutaneous vasodilation on body temperature?

Cutaneous vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels in the skin, which enhances blood flow to the skin's surface. This physiological response is crucial for thermoregulation, especially during periods of increased body heat, such as during exercise or exposure to high environmental temperatures.

When blood vessels dilate, more warm blood flows to the skin, where it can dissipate heat to the environment. This process helps cool the body by promoting heat loss through radiation, conduction, and convection. As a result, cutaneous vasodilation effectively lowers body temperature by facilitating the transfer of excess heat away from the body's core.

In contrast, other options either do not accurately describe the role of cutaneous vasodilation or refer to different processes such as metabolic rate changes, which are not directly tied to the immediate effects of skin blood flow alterations. Therefore, cutaneous vasodilation plays a critical role in lowering body temperature during times of heat stress or elevated internal temperatures.