Autopsy Pathology (P) Flashcards
What is autopsy pathology?
It refers to the post-mortem examination of a body to determine the cause of death or the nature of pathologic chances
Autopsy path is also known as what?
Necropsy
What are the purposes of autopsy?
1) Autopsy has served medicine in numerous ways and continues to play evolving roles in a time when technologies have dramatically improved and when new diseases, naturally occurring, or iatrogenic, continue to arise in the medical horizon
2) Autopsy remains as the singular opportunity for a comprehensive and indeed final and physical examination and lab medicine
Who can request for an autopsy?
1) Hospital
2) Physician
3) Family
4) Next of kin (due to unanswered clinical question in cases of natural death)
What are the components of autopsy consent?
1) Restrictions
2) Use of tissues for research in the institution
3) Scope of testing
4) Return of unused portions of organs w/ the body to the funeral professionals
5) Turn around time of reports
6) Any costs the family may be expected to incur
What are the diff types of limitations / restrictions?
1) External only
2) Chest only
3) Chest and abdomen only
4) No brain / head
5) Brain or other single organ
Who are the key players / individuals present in a room for anatomic pathology processes (autopsy)?
1) Resident pathologist
2) Autopsy technician / pathologists assistant
3) Attending pathologist
4) Student
5) Clinical physicians
What are the instruments used in anatomic pathology processes?
1) Positioner
2) Scalpel
3) Dissecting probe
4) Ruler
5) Knife
6) Razor knife
7) Pancake forceps
8) Forceps w/ teeth
9) Forceps w/out teeth
10) Wire cutters
11) Scissors
12) Bow scissor (blunt leading edge)
13) Retractor
14) Hemostatic clumps
15) Burkhaous skull breaker
16) Chisel and hammer
17) Bonecutting forceps
18) Electric autopsy saw
What is somatic death?
It refers to death or complete cessation of metabolic and functional activities of the organism or body as a whole
What are the 3 primary signs of somatic death?
1) Circulatory failure
2) Respiratory failure
3) CNS failure
What is circulatory failure?
It is the cessation of cardiac fxn, evident by absence of pulse and heart beat
What is respiratory failure?
1) It is the absence of O2 and accumulation of CO2
2) It is the loss of oxidative processes necessary for life
What is CNS failure?
It is the loss of coordination of various body fxns, loss of reflexes
What are the 7 secondary signs?
These follow after death and are observed in post mortem examination
What are the 7 secondary signs?
1) Algor mortis
2) Rigor mortis
3) Livor mortis
4) Pallor mortis
5) Postmortem clotting
6) Dessication
7. 1) Putrefaction
7. 2) Autolysis
What are the characteristics of algor mortis?
1) It is the 1st demonstrable change observed
2) It is characterized by cooling of the body
3) It occurs in a rate of about 7 DF/hr
4) It is accelerated during cold weather, in lean, malnourished, dehydrated individuals, after long wasting diseases, and severe hemorrhage
5) It is slowed down in certain infectious diseases, when death is followed by increase in temp
In algor mortis, what is the purpose of the cooling of the body?
To equalize that of the surrounding environment
Algor mortis is also known / referred to as what?
Coolness of death
What is the importance of algor mortis?
It is impt in establishing the approx time of death