Chapter 7: Pathology Flashcards
What’s the difference between cause and manner of death?
Cause of death: divided into primary and secondary. Primary is the causal chain that explains the cessation of life starting with the most recent condition and going backward in time. The secondary cause of death includes conditions that are not related to the primary cause of death but contribute substantially to the individual’s demise, such as extreme heat or frigid temperatures.
The manner of death is the way in which the causes of death came to be. There are only four manners of death: homicide, suicide, accidental, and natural.
What is the primary cause of death?
The primary cause of death is the three-link causal change that explains the cessation of life starting with the most recent condition and going backward in time.
1.Most recent condition: due to or as a consequence of:
2.Next oldest condition: due to or consequence of:
3.Oldest condition
Name the four manners of death.
Homicide, suicide, accidental, and natural.
What is the difference between a coroner and a ME?
A coroner is a prestigious judicial officer in charge of the investigation of unusual, untimely, or suspicious deaths. The position can be appointed or elected, and no formal education or medical training is required. Many coroners are funeral directors.
A medical examiner is a physician who has gone through four years of university, four years of medical school, four years of basic pathology training, and an additional one or two years of special training in forensic pathology. The position is appointed.
What is livor mortis?
Livor mortis (postmortem lividity) is the settling of blood due to gravity after the heart no longer circulates it through the body. This results in purplish discolouration in the skin. The settled blood takes on a bluish tone because it is not reaching the lungs to be oxygenated. Lividity begins about an hour after death and peaks in about 3 or 4 hours.
What is another name for postmortem cooling?
Algor mortis is the other name for postmortem cooling. It is the decrease in body temperature after death.
How long does rigor mortis last?
Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the body after death due to the membranes of muscle cells becoming more permeable to calcium ions. It typically begins 2-6h after death and releases after 24 hours.
What are petechiae? Where do they appear?
Petechiae are pinpoint hemorrhages found around the eyes, lining of the mouth and throat, and other areas often seen in hanging or strangulation victims. They can also occur in heart attacks or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
What are Tardieu spots?
Tardieu spots are the other name for petechiae. Tardieu is the doctor who first described them.
Who was Milton Helpern?
Milton Helpern established the first ME office in 1890 in Baltimore, US. He added toxicological exams with the help of Alexander Gettler.
What is autolysis?
Autolysis is the disintegration of the body by enzymes released by dying cells.
How many stages are there to decomposition?
The four stages of decomposition are fresh, bloated, decay, and dry.
Histology is the study of what?
Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
What is an exhumation?
An exhumation is when a person is dug up or removed from their mausoleum. It can occur if there are questions about cause or manner of death.
What is the difference between blunt and sharp force trauma?
Blunt force trauma is caused by dull or non sharpened objects. (Baseball bats, bricks, lamps).
Sharp force trauma is caused by sharp implements. (Knives, axes, ice picks).
