Embalming

Question 1

Changes in the human body after death can not be stopped. They can be slowed down. How?

Answer 1

By lowering the body temperature to +/- negative 4 degrees Celsius

Question 2

What needs to be done to stop the changes in the human body?

Answer 2

Embalming needs to be done as soon as possible after death. The constituents of the embalming fluid have the properties to stop these changes

Question 3

Describe the embalming process.

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Why is embalming necessary?

Answer 4

To increase the timespan in which the cadaver can be used for academic teaching or research

Question 5

Why are cadavers always well fixed?

Answer 5

So that they can be used for not only anatomical dissection but also research

Question 6

POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY

Define autolysis.

Answer 6

Autolysis is the spontaneous decomposition of the body by means of enzymes, where the enzymatic actions continue as if the body is alive

Question 7

POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY

Define Bacterial decomposition.

Answer 7

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

Question 8

POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Define desiccation (drying out).

Answer 8

Desiccation is the evaporation of water from the body

Question 9

POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY

Define Rigor mortis.

Answer 9

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

Question 10

POST MORTEM CHANGES IN THE HUMAN BODY

Define coagulation.

Answer 10

Coagulation is the process of blood changing to form clots

Question 11

What is the purpose for embalming?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What is an embalming fluid?

Answer 12

Embalming fluid is a mixture of chemicals which have good penetrative qualities, fixative properties, bacteriostatic, bactericidal properties, fungistatic properties, fungicidal properties, moisture retaining properties

Question 13

What does fixative mean?

Answer 13

A fixative is a substance used to fix or stabilize something

Question 14

What does fungistatic and fungicidal mean?

Answer 14

Fungistatic: Inhibiting the growth of fungi
fungicidal: Having a killing action on fungi - that which is toxic to or destroys fungi

Question 15

What does bacteriostatic and bactericidal mean?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Composition of embalming fluid (100L):

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Embalming materials:

Answer 17

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 Compressor

Question 18

Embalming procedure: What happens soon after death?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

Embalming procedure: What is the femoral artery used for and where is it located?

Answer 19

• 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.

Question 20

Embalming procedure: What is blunt dissection and an aneurism needle used for?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Where is the incision made?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Where is the cannula inserted?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What does the injection of the embalming fluid do?

Answer 23

The injection of the embalming fluid dilutes the blood, making the blood thinner eventually replacing the blood completely

Question 24

What the embalming apparatus act as?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What happens to the injection pressure and embalming fluid?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are the extremities supplemented with?

Answer 26

Extremities are supplemented with hypodermal injection. Long bore needles are inserted under the skin of the dorsum of the foot and hands

Question 27

What is ligated, amount of embalming fluid used and how all the embalming process lasts:

Answer 27

 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

Question 28

Where are the metal tags placed?

Answer 28

Metal tags, which are the registration numbers of the cadavers are placed in left ear and big toe on the left foot.

Question 29

The last steps of the embalming procedure:

Answer 29

 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

Question 30

Hazards and precautions: (Formalin) =

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Hazards and precautions:

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Causes of death that may influence the efficacy of the embalming process

Answer 32

Arteriosclerosis, Embolism, Arthritis, Aneurysms and Jaundice (Hepatitis) [Malaria related infections]

Question 33

Arteriosclerosis:

Answer 33

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)

Question 34

Embolism, Arthritis and Aneurysms:

Answer 34

• 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.

Question 35

Jaundice (Hepatitis) [Malaria related infections]:

Answer 35

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.