Embalming 2 Flashcards by Trakesha Byrd

What are the different types of embalming chemicals we discussed?

vascular (arterial) fluidscavity fluidspre-injection fluidsco injection fluidsjaundice fluidshardening compoundspreservative powderssealing agentssurface applications

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injected to disinfect, temporarily preserve and restore the dead human body without causing objectionable change in the tissues

vascular (arterial) fluids

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vascular (arterial) fluids are generally classified by what?

index

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the number of grams of formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of water; usually given in a percentage

index

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having an index of 28 - 36. Causes a rapid tissue coagulation.Causes a definite degree of firmness, used most often on “special cases.” (Decomposition, edema, outgoing, drowning, etc.)

strong (high) index

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A strong or high index would consist of ____% by weight and ___ % by volume

3740

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having an index of 19 - 27.Sometimes referred to as semi-firming or cosmetic fluid. Active shades of orange or red dye. (Oil based / cosmetic fluid). Results in a moderate firming of tissues. Normal Cases

medium (cosmetic arterial fluid)

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any fluid with an index of 10 - 18. Produces a minimum firmness of tissues. Infant cases or adults 80 lbs or less

weak

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What are the components of vascular (arterial) fluids?

preservativesupplementary germicideanticoagulantsvehicleperfuming agents, deodorants, or masking agentsdyessurfactantsmodifying agents

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Chemical which inactivates saprophytic bacteria, render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon which bacteria thrive, and which will arrest decomposition by altering enzymes of the body as well as converting the decomposable tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition. One of the components of arterial fluids

preservative

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actions of preservative chemicals

Inactivates the chemical group of proteins or amino acids2. Inhibits further decomposition3. Inactivates some enzymes4. Kills some microorganisms – not all5. Destroys odors

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examples of preservatives

aldehydesalcoholphenol

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an example of a preservative: deprived of hydration, its common name is formaldehyde

aldehydes

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produced by the partial oxidation of methanol

formaldehyde

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in its free state, formaldehyde is a _______, it is __________ in water which forms a ________. __________ is the universal solvent. Every solvent has a different ___________ rate

gassolubleformulawatersaturation

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Characteristic of formaldehyde

Colorless gas Has an irritating and unpleasant odor – pungent Freely soluble in water Combines with tissue protein Is a monoaldehyde (one functional aldehyde group)

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classified as a dialdehyde (Two functional aldehyde groups) Five carbons rather than one

Gluteraldehyde

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2 types of alcohols (also examples of preservatives)

Methyalcohol (methanol or wood alcohol) Ethyalcohol (ethanol or grain alcohol)

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an alcohol that has two primary uses - used commercially to manufacture formaldehyde- is also an antipolymerizing agent (ensures it stays in its liquid state)

Methyalcohol (methanol or wood alcohol)

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an example of a preservative: obtained by the distillation of coal tar.- Used as cauterizer to prevent leakage on embalmed bodies- Also, a bleaching agent - inject it do not use as a surface application

phenol

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One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals added for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms

Supplementary GERMICIDES

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Examples of supplementary germicides

Glutaraldehyde Quaternary ammonium compounds –

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better disinfectant used as a supplementary germicide

Glutaraldehyde

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agents that are usually used for disinfection of skin, oral, nasal cavities, and instruments. EXAMPLES: Benzalkonium and Zephrian

Quaternary ammonium compounds –

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Chemicals which retard the tendency of blood to become more viscous (thicker) by natural postmortem processes or prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals. This process is primarily accomplished by breaking down the calcium in the blood and water. One of the components of arterial fluids.- Also known as water conditioners or water softeners.- These chemicals help keep blood in a liquid state

ANTICOAGULANTS

Examples of anticoagulants:

Sodium citrate– .Sodium salt of EDTA = (Ethylenediaminetetrasodiumacetate) –

an example of an anticoagulant: white, odorless, crystalline or granular material is often used for its anticoagulation. This compound inactivates calcium in the blood as well as in the water supply. W/O calcium, blood coagulation does not occur

Sodium citrate

an example of an anticoagulant: very effective sequestering or chelating agents, means – they are readily combined with calcium ions to prevent blood coagulation and also to remove hardness chemicals from the water supply.

Sodium salt of EDTA

One of the components of arterial fluids. Liquids that serve as a solvent for the numerous ingredients that are incorporated into embalming fluids. They must serve as the carrier of the components found in the arterial solution. Alcohols

vehicle

most common vehicle

water

will also serve as a vehicle. (Tincture solution). Its most common use of as a vehicle would be cavity fluid

alcohol

One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant odor.Odorless or fume less chemicals

PERFUMING AGENTS, DEODRANTS OR MASKING AGENTS

Examples of perfuming agents (4)

Methylsalicylate (oil of wintergreen) Benzaldehyde (oil of almonds) Oil of sassafras Oil of cloves

do not eliminate the effects that formaldehyde has on the operator.

Perfuming agents

One of the components of arterial fluids Substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definite color to the embalming solution and/or tissues.

DYES (coloring agents)

dye that will impart a color to the body tissue

Cosmetic dyes (active)

dye that will stain the concentrated arterial fluid.

Non-cosmetic dyes (inactive)

EXAMPLES OF DYES (3)

Eosin - redPonceau red - redErythrosine - brown-red tint

One of the components of arterial fluids Also called - surface tension reducers, wetting agents, and surface active agents. A chemical that reduces the molecular cohesion of a liquid so that it can flow through smaller apertures.Used in promoting fluid diffusion.Chemicals in dishwashing detergents that prevent sports on glasses

SURFACTANTS

Example of surfactants (wetting agents)

Sulfonate oils - an example is sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil)

One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals added to the embalming solution to deal with varying demands based upon the type of embalming, the environment, and the embalming fluid to be used. Chemicals which control the rate and extent of the embalming operation

MODIFYING AGENTS

Two modifying agents used in embalming fluids

HumectantsBuffers

A chemical used as a modifying agent that increases the ability of embalmed tissue to retain moisture (chemical that helps to control dehydration). Emaciated cases

humectant

Chemicals used as humectants are:

Glycerol (glycerin) – thick stuff, member of alcohol familySorbitolLanolin’s – massage stuff, liquid based.Glycols – has 2 OH groups – active ingredients in antifreeze

Chemicals used as modifying agents that will affect the acid-base balance (pH) within embalming solutions and in the embalmed tissue.

buffers

Chemicals used as buffers

Borax – reduces the hardening & graying action of formaldehyde.CitratesSodium salt of EDTASodium Phosphates -

Formulated to produce maximum disinfection and preservation with a minimum amount of fluid.

cavity fluids

Composition of cavity fluid.

PreservativesGermicidesVehicle (primarily alcohols)Perfuming agents

Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular solution. These fluids will also help keep the blood in a liquid state.

PRE-INJECTION FLUIDS

Components of pre-injection fluids

AnticoagulantsSurfactantsHumectantsVehicle (primarily water)Water conditioning agents

_________ fluids do not contain low preservatives

Pre-injection

A fluid(s) used primarily to supplement and enhance the action of the vascular (arterial) solution.

CO-INJECTION FLUIDS

A special vascular fluid with special bleaching and coloring qualities for use on bodies with jaundice; usually with a low formaldehyde content

JAUNDICE FLUIDS

Components of jaundice fluids:

Bleaching agents High concentration of dye Low formaldehyde (HCHO) content

A chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb moisture and has a limited amount of disinfection ability in a small amount.

HARDENING COMPOUNDS

composition of hardening compounds

Plaster of Paris - dehydrating agent (hardening compound)Paraformaldehyde - disinfectantWood power – dehydrating agent (moisture absorbent)Alum- dehydrating agent

A chemical in powder form; typically used for surface embalming of remains. Will help to control maggots and vermin. Usually has a high concentration of preservative - Paraformaldehyde They do not have the absorbent and drying qualities.

PRESERVATIVE POWDERS

Materials used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood.

SEALING AGENTS

types of sealing agents

PowderSprayLiquids

Either in a liquid or gel form, used to dry and harden lesions, excisions and cavities.

SURFACE APPLICATIONS

aldehyde, alcohols, phenolic compounds

preservatives

quaternary ammonium compounds - glutaldehyde –

supplementary germicides

10 minutes disinfectant, longer it begins to break down metal.

glutaldehyde –

water conditioning agents, prevents blood from clotting more

anticoagulants

sodium citrate sodium salt of EDTA

anticoagulants

sulfonates sodium lauylsulfate

surfactants or surface active agents

eosineponceau rederythronsine

dyes

active dyes are what color?

red orange

benzaldehyde - almondolives of clovesoil of sassafrasmethylsalicylate – oil of wintergreen

deodorants – perfuming agents / masking agents

dilute substance of other fluids

vehicles

any substance that imperils health or life when absorbed into the body

Poison

poisonous substance produced by higher plants, animals, or bacteria that is toxic or poisonous to humans

Toxin

– Lethal Dose 50%, amount poison necessary to kill 50% or ½ of the group to whom it has been given

LD – 50

smallest dose of poison or radiation on record that process death.

MLD – Minimum Lethal Dose

liquid used in lip tense, external sealers, primarily used as solvents.

acetones

used commercially to manufacture formaldehyde 2 – used as antipolymerizing agent, prevent para formaldehyde solid form of formaldehyde 3 – ethanol used as preservatives, vehicle in cavity fluids.

alcohols

halogens – salt formers

alkyl halides

used in powder form, added to jaundice fluids as active red dye

amaranth (red dye #2)

white crystal solid substance, used as a herbicide; added to preservative powders and hardening compounds

amitrole

terminal disinfection used in prep-room, neutralizes formaldehyde (cavity fluid spills), acid to base = salts (urotropin) plus water

ammonia -NH3

from a tree it is derived, acts as key tone hazardous chemical

camphor

used as a disinfectant / deodorizer air freshener

cresol –lysol

light brown powder used as fungicide (used to kill fungus)

dichlorophene

colorless liquid used as solvent

diethanol amine

colorless OILY liquid used as a solvent

diethyl formamide

clear liquid with fruit like odor used as a perfuming agent

ethyl acetate

used as anticoagulant in pre-injection with co-injection chemicals used as buffer.

EDTA (Sodium salts)

in free state gas, soluble in water, used as preservative

formaldehyde

colorless liquid used as solvent . Acidic when less than pH 7. Active ingredient in bee stings and fire ant bites. Substance formed in the decomposition of formaldehyde.

formic acid

one of two supplementary germicides. A far superior disinfectant than formaldehyde. Has 5 carbon atoms

glutaraldehyde

used as humectants in embalming fluids. (Emicated and dehydrated cases) (Example: antifreeze).

glycols (dihydroxy alcohols)

bleaches

hypochlorites

gas that can be released if you add Clorox to a formaldehyde spill

Phosgene

substance used as a propellant in aerosol spray products

isobutane

colorless liquid, similar to acetone that is used as solvent

methyl ethyl ketone

used to clean cosmetic brushes

mineral spirits (paint thinner, turpentine)

injection to help rebuild where tissue has been lost

. nitrocellulose (tissue builder)

colorless liquid used an insecticide chemical, added to preservative powders. (Topical embalming chemicals)

orthodichlorobenzene

colorless solid used as a stripping agent (zip strip- furniture stripper)

oxalic acid

mold preventative agent. Used in preservative powders

. paradichlorobenzene (moth balls)

white solid form of formaldehyde. Major preservative used in preservative powders

paraformaldehyde

cauterizer to prevent leakage and bleaching agents on hand do it as injection not a cavity pack where applied to skin (rust in color)

phenol / phenolic compounds

solid granular powder form, to create a cast of a broken area for restorative work in prep room, primary dehydrating agent used of hardening compounds

Plaster of Paris

BBQ gas

propane

drying powder, flesh colored or white colored used after application of oil based cosmetics to remove the sheen

quartz (finishing powder)–

used as supplementary germicide Benzalkonium Chloride & Zephrian Chloride

quaternary ammonium compounds

drying powder – finishing powder

talc

colorless liquid used as solvent

toluene

When selecting arteries,the considerations and precautions based upon:

1. Accessibility 2. Arterial occlusion- hardening of the arteries

when considering if an artery is accessible what should be some of the determining factors?

Superficial or deepSurrounding structuresSize (diameter)Proximity to aortaAccessibility for drainage from corresponding vein

Factors governing selection of arteries for injection (9)

1. Age: Infant (descending abdominal aorta) or Adult2. Weight (corpulence)3. Disfiguration - scar tissue, arthritis, etc.4. Disease - cancer, goes hand in hand with disfiguration, etc.5. Edema - excessive fluids6. Obstruction - vascular or extravascular7. Trauma - any type of wound or injury8. Medico - legal requirements9. Cause and manner of death

Proper technique for raising vessels

1. Shave area if necessary2. Select instruments and prepare ligature or necessary instruments.3. Locate place of incision using linear guide.4. Make incision through skin, superficial fascia and deep fascia.5. Use blunt dissection through superficial fascia and deep fascia, and adipose tissue.6. Locate vessels by use of anatomical guide.7. Clean vessels by blunt dissection and ligate vessels.8. Make incision in vessel.

the most common incision method employed to open the artery or vein. Cut is made from the edge of the vessel to the center of the vessel

Transverse incision

an incision made involving cutting at an angle

Diagonal incision

this incision is made when embalmer likes to use drain tube in neck

“T” incision

this incision is used on a sclerotic artery, because it does the least amount of damage to the walls of this vessel that are already diseased

Wedge incision