autopsy Flashcards
Reason for conducting autopsy
to find out cause of death epidemiology research teaching thourough examination - progress of disease and side effects monitor effectiveness of new treatment
consent process
hospital - consent from next of kin
coroners - next of kin’s wishes taken into consideration, no consent needed
Cases must be reported
accident suicide abortion industrial disease violent/suspicious/unnatural cause unknown not see dr in 14 days, during or after death neglect operation/recovery from anesthetic detention poisoning
heart Causes of unexpected death
MI coronary heart disease - cardiac arrhythmia coronary artery atherosclerosis myocardial scarring coronary artery thrombosis hypertensive heart disease -cardiomegaly, symmetrical left ventricular hypotrophy, acute cardiac arrhythmia cardiomyopathy myocarditis structural anomalies floppy mitral gland aortic stenosis conduction abnormalities
vascular causes of unexpected death
ruptured aortic aneurysm
atherosclerosis and hypertension
CNS causes unexpected deaths
non traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage
intracerebral haemorrhage
epilepsy
Respiratory system causes of unexpected death
pulmonary embolus
asthma
GI tract causes of unexpected death
bleeding ulcer
bleeding oesophageal varices
pancreatitis
unnatural causes of unexpected death
trauma [self induced/caused by others]
alcohol
drugs
Bruise
break arterioles/veins /venules bleeding under skin blunt trauma alone/with other injuries skin lax hours/days after death
Abrasion
graze/scratch superficial after death epidemis (maybe superficial dermis) tangential or vertical force
laceration
split to skin blunt full thickness of skin ragid margins bridging fibres across skin defect occur where skin can be compressed flaying - tangentially applied force
cut and stab
cut - longer than deep
stab - deeper than long
sharp
no damage around area
incised wound
to some cuts and stabs
to some just cuts
