Embalming 2 Flashcards by Abbey Collins

Non-Legal definition of Death

o Irreversible cessation of all vital functions
o Such as:
• Respiration
• Heart action

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Death Rattle

the noise made by a moribund person caused by air passing through a residue of mucous in the trachea and posterior oral cavity.

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Death Struggle

the semi-convulsive twitches which often occur before death

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Apparent Death

condition in which the manifestations of life are feebly maintained

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Human Remains

body of a deceased person, including cremated remains

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Cremated Remains

those elements remaining after cremation of a dead human body

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Calcium

is the major element remaining in cremated remains?

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Cadaver

Dead human body used for medical purposes; including anatomical dissection and study

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Thanatology

the study of death

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Somatic Death

pernouncement of death; death of the organism as a whole

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Heart
Brain
Lungs

Historically somatic death is recognized by the failure of one of three organs

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Post Mortem Cellular Death

Death of the individual cells of the body; Final cause of cellular death is oxygen starvation; Post mortem cellular death will occur after somatic death

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Cause of Death
Environmental conditions
Condition of body
Medication preceding death

Factors influencing onset of post mortem cellular death:

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Yes; Necrosis such as in a decubitus ulcer or gangrene

Can cellular death occur antemortem?

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Signs of Death

Those manifestations of death by which we may recognize its presence in the body

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Decomposition

The separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes; considered the single most reliable sign of death

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Cessation

circulation; respiration

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Algor Mortis

Post mortem cooling of the body to the surrounding temperatures

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Livor Mortis

also referred to as cadaveric lividity; The post mortem, intravascular, red-blue discoloration resulting from the hypostasis of blood

Intravascular; Livor Mortis

within the vessels

YES, because it is intravascular

Can Livor Mortis be removed with normal arterial injection and venous drainage?

Hypostasis

the settling of blood and/or other fluids to the dependent (lowest) portions of the body.

Rigor Mortis

the post mortem temporary stiffening of the body muscles due to natural chemical body processes

Complete Muscular Relaxation

at death the muscles DO NOT function

Changes of the EYE

clouding of the cornea and loss of luster; flattening of the eyeball; pupil does not respond to light

Test for Death

Any procedure used to prove a sign of death

Expert Test

Stethoscope Ophthalmoscope Electronic Life Detection Devices Injections of various dyes

Stethoscope

a delicate instrument used to detect almost inaudible sounds produced in the body

Ophthalmoscope

an optical instrument with an accompanying light that makes it possible to examine the retina and explore blood circulation

Electronic Life Detection Devices (encephalogram)

(EEG) Electroencephalogram: measure the brain electrical activity (ECG/EKG) Electrocardiogram: records heart's electrical activity (ABR) Audio Brainstem Response: check brain activity based on audio sounds (EGG) Electrogastrogram: records stomach/gastric activity

EKG

detect normal heart activity

EEG

Check brain wave activity

ABR

check specific brain for vital activity

Injections of various dyes into the body to check for circulation

2cc of Flourescein is injected into the upper arm. If there is circulation the whites of the eyes turn green

Inexpert Test

Ligature test Ammonia injection test Feel for the pulse

Ligature Test

ligate a finger; if it becomes discolored and swells, life is present

Ammonia Injection Test

hypodermically inject ammonia, if alive the skin will show a reddish reaction

Ante Mortem (Agonal) Changes

Those changes occurring prior to somatic death

Thermal Changes

changes in temperature of body; rising or fallen

Agonal Algor

decrease in the body temperature prior to somatic death; decrease in the body temperature prior to somatic death

Agonal Fever

increase in body temperature prior to somatic death Commonly found in infectious diseases; increase in body temperature prior to somatic death Commonly found in infectious diseases

Hypostasis (ante mortem)

the settling of blood and/or other fluids to the dependent portions of the body

Coagulation (clots)

congealing of the blood

Agonal Edema

the escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location immediately before death There is an increase in moisture in the tissues and cavities Results from capillary Speeds the decomposition process

Increase strength

How will this effect the strength of your diluted arterial fluid?

Agonal dehydration

the loss of moisture from the human body prior to somatic death Could result in the thickening of the blood and dehydration of certain tissue

Translocation of Microorganisms

movement of microorganisms from one area of the body to another. An example is from the intestinal area to the blood vascular system due to capillary permeability changes