Body temperature can be measured by placing the thermometer under the tongue, in the armpits or in the rectum. The basic idea is to place the heat sensitive bulb of the thermometer in close contact with that part of the body which is not exposed as that may lower the reading. It is also desirable that the thermometer be enclosed on all sides by the body part. The armpits are easily accessible and the fear of broken thermometers is also less. So this is the preferred site for measuring temperature in children. For adults, the underside of the tongue is preferred, as the skin is very delicate here, heat conduction is better and the thermometer reading is more accurate.
