Embalming Flashcards
Changes in the human body after death can not be stopped. They can be slowed down. How?
By lowering the body temperature to +/- negative 4 degrees Celsius
What needs to be done to stop the changes in the human body?
Embalming needs to be done as soon as possible after death. The constituents of the embalming fluid have the properties to stop these changes
Describe the embalming process.
Embalming is the process used for preserving human bodies indefinitely. Embalming of cadavers in a teaching and learning environment is essential to prevent the putrefaction of the body
Why is embalming necessary?
To increase the timespan in which the cadaver can be used for academic teaching or research
Why are cadavers always well fixed?
So that they can be used for not only anatomical dissection but also research
POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Define autolysis.
Autolysis is the spontaneous decomposition of the body by means of enzymes, where the enzymatic actions continue as if the body is alive
POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Define Bacterial decomposition.
The consumption of the body tissue by live micro - organisms where bacteria in the alimentary canal multiply rapidly causing discoloration (green colour) on the abdomen and consequent putrefaction
POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY Define desiccation (drying out).
Desiccation is the evaporation of water from the body
POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Define Rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis is the temporary stiffness of the muscles which occurs a few hours after death - pepsin and myosin muscle fibres that contract due to the residual ATP still left in the muscles
POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Define coagulation.
Coagulation is the process of blood changing to form clots
What is the purpose for embalming?
- To preserve the body from decomposition after death for teaching and research purposes
- Sanitizing and disinfectant reasons - to prevent the spreading of diseases by means of contact of the living with the deceased
- To temporarily preserve human remains to forestall decomposition and make it suitable for display at a funeral
What is an embalming fluid?
Embalming fluid is a mixture of chemicals which have good penetrative qualities, fixative properties, bacteriostatic, bactericidal properties, fungistatic properties, fungicidal properties, moisture retaining properties
What does fixative mean?
A fixative is a substance used to fix or stabilize something
What does fungistatic and fungicidal mean?
Fungistatic: Inhibiting the growth of fungi
fungicidal: Having a killing action on fungi - that which is toxic to or destroys fungi
What does bacteriostatic and bactericidal mean?
Bacteriostatic: A bacteriostatic agent or bacteriostat, abbreviated Bstatic, is a biological or chemical agent that stops bacteria from reproducing, while not necessarily killing them otherwise.
Bactericidal: Destruction/killing of bacteria
Composition of embalming fluid (100L):
Absolute alcohol (70L): Methanol and Ethanol are fixatives, bactericidal and fungicidal properties
Formalin (5L): fixative properties
*Formalin refers specifically to 37% aqueous formaldehyde
*Phenol (2.5L): bacterio-fungistatic and cidal properties
*Glycerine (1L): hydrate tissue and moisture retaining properties (humectants)
Sweet cherry (1.5L): perfuming agent and detergent properties
Water (20L): dilution of the mixture
Embalming materials:
Artery Forceps
Aneurism needle
Scissors
Scalpel
Scalpel blades and handle
Muscle retractor
Forceps
Artery forceps
Artery cannulas
Probe with an eye
Wooden spatula
String
Air compressor
Pressure Tank (100 Litres)
System of Tubes -1 attached to a cannula and 2 attached to 2 long bore needles
NB*Protective clothing (PPE) to be used by the embalmer at all times
*Large Bore needles
*Embalming Pump
*Air CompressorEmbalming procedure: What happens soon after death?
- The sooner after death a body is embalmed, the easier it is to have a successful embalming
- 50ml of Formalin is injected to “fix” brain through the superior orbital fissure using a long bore needle syringe
Embalming procedure: What is the femoral artery used for and where is it located?
- The femoral artery is used due to its large diameter. The carotid or the radial artery can be used in some instances.
- The Femoral artery is located in the femoral triangle, in the upper inner quadrant of the thigh. An incision is made (sagittal) through the skin, superficial fascia and deep fascia.
Embalming procedure: What is blunt dissection and an aneurism needle used for?
Blunt dissection and an aneurism needle is used to clean and expose the femoral artery, in order not to damage the femoral artery
Separate the femoral artery from other surrounding structures. Lift the artery with a spatula, then place 2 pieces of string in the position under the artery
Where is the incision made?
An incision is made on the femoral artery by using the arterial forceps to lift the femoral artery and making a short sagittal incision along the path of artery
Where is the cannula inserted?
A cannula with two openings, one distally and other proximally, is inserted into the femoral artery and secured to avoid leaking. Under low pressure the embalming fluid injection process commences
What does the injection of the embalming fluid do?
The injection of the embalming fluid dilutes the blood, making the blood thinner eventually replacing the blood completely
What the embalming apparatus act as?
The embalming apparatus effectively acts as the heart by gently pumping the solution into the persons circulatory system which then diffuses into the body’s tissues
What happens to the injection pressure and embalming fluid?
The injection pressure is monitored in the pressure tank gauge. Embalming fluid is filled in the pressure tank and pressure is applied in the tank by use of air compressor which is connected to the tank. From the tank the fluid is carried by catheter/tubes which the end is connected to the cannula
Embalming fluid injection continues, the body starts to “blow” until the body looks inflated
What are the extremities supplemented with?
Extremities are supplemented with hypodermal injection. Long bore needles are inserted under the skin of the dorsum of the foot and hands
What is ligated, amount of embalming fluid used and how all the embalming process lasts:
Ligate the arteries and stitch back the incision neatly using the string
The amount of embalming fluid used varies from 25 - 50 liters depending on the size of the cadaver
The entire process may last anything from 20 - 45mins
Where are the metal tags placed?
Metal tags, which are the registration numbers of the cadavers are placed in left ear and big toe on the left foot.
The last steps of the embalming procedure:
Remove the cannula, tubes and other items on the table. Wash the body with disinfectant and leave to thaw for 5 - 7 days. Leave the embalming room clean and neat
The cadaver will be ready for dissection in about 4 – 6 weeks following embalming
Cadavers not being used immediately for dissections are covered with colico cloth and plastic and left in the mortuary at low temperature
Hazards and precautions: (Formalin) =
Formalin is a poisonous substance and should be handled with caution. It causes severe irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, producing a form of bronchitis which doesn’t respond to bronchitis
remedies. It also cause “embalmers eczema” a severe dermatitis which also doesn’t respond to treatment
Hazards and precautions:
The embalming room must be well ventilated. Embalmer exposure to
formalin must be kept at a minimum
Caution must be exercised not to damage important anatomical structures when making the incision to expose the arteries
Causes of death that may influence the efficacy of the embalming process
Arteriosclerosis, Embolism, Arthritis, Aneurysms and Jaundice (Hepatitis) [Malaria related infections]
Arteriosclerosis:
A chronic condition affecting the walls of the large and medium arteries, especially the intima. It is characterized by the thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls, and narrowing of the lumen (meaning the thickening of the intima)
Embolism, Arthritis and Aneurysms:
- Embolism : Is the obstruction of a blood or lymph vessel by means of a clot or other solid matter, e.g. coronary, pulmonary or cerebral embolisms
- Arthritis : Is the inflammation of the whole artery.
- Aneurysms : Is the weakening, removal or rupture (hernia) of the artery walls.
Jaundice (Hepatitis) [Malaria related infections]:
Jaundice, (Hepatitis)(Malaria related infections) : In all these liver gall bladder and pancreas related illnesses, gall bladder pigment (bilirubin)is absorbed into the blood stream resulting in the yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. Care needs to be taken with infective hepatitis as it is contagious.
