Thermoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors in the body that detect changes in temperature. They are primarily located in the skin, but can also be found in other tissues, including the hypothalamus, which helps regulate body temperature. Thermoreceptors respond to both heat and cold, allowing the body to sense and react to temperature variations in the environment. These receptors are classified into two main types: cold receptors, which respond to lower temperatures, and warm receptors, which respond to higher temperatures. When activated, thermoreceptors send signals to the brain, helping to maintain homeostasis and prompting appropriate physiological responses, such as sweating or shivering.