Autopsy 1: Introduction Flashcards
what were the four substances to make up the body according to the humoral theory
black bile
yellow bile
phlegm
blood
when was the first recorded autopsy performed and on who
44 B.C. on Julius Caesar
what is the percentage of major discrepancies between clinical diagnosis and the underlying cause of death as recorded on the death certificate
30%
what is the cause of death
disease process that killed someone (ex. blunt force trauma or gunshot)
what is the manner of death
how someone died (ex. accidental, suicidal)
what is the next of kin order
spouse, child, sibling, parent
what is the tort law
a person commits tort when they intentionally mutilates the body of a dead person or when they prevent the proper burial
ex. unauthorized autopsy
define algor mortis
body cooling
what is rigor mortis
body rigidity
develops within 30 minutes - goes away after 48 hours
what are tardieu spots
small, postmortem hemorrhages (rupture of small vessels)
what is livor mortis
blood pooling in areas of dependency under the force of gravity
develops within 30 minutes
what is blanching
skin turns white where pressure is applied within the first 12 hours
define cachexia
anorexia and wasting (temporal wasting is a classic sign)
define conjunctival pterygia
elevated yellow areas of the eyes due to solar damage - often bilateral
what is vitiligo
irregular pigmented areas
