Embalming Chemicals Flashcards
Those embalming chemicals that are injected via the circulatory system
Arterial Fluids
Arterial fluids include
Preservatives
Germicides
Modifying Chemicals
Supplementary Chemicals
Preservatives are included because of their ability to
Inactivate Saprophytic bacteria and render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon which these bacteria thrive
Preservatives will also arrest
Decomposition
The aldehydes most frequently used in preservatives are
Methanal and glutaraldehyde
The alcohols found in arterial fluids may include
Methanol
Ethanol
Isoproponol
Chemicals added specifically for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms
Supplemental Germicides
The more common germicides are the
Quats and Glutaraldehyde
Glutaraldehyde serves as both
Supplemental Germicide and a Preservative
Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a surface
Disinfectant
The QUAT compounds are more commonly found in
Cold Sterilization formulations for instruments and surface applications
Where are QUATs found?
Cavity Chemical formulations
coloring agents used in arterial embalming fluids because they impart a definite color to the fluid and in some cases to produce a coloration effect on the tissues of the body
Dyes
An orange colored dye
Eosin
A red colored dye
Erythrosine
Chemicals which have either the ability to destroy odors by altering the substances that are causing the odors or tey have the ability to cover or mask the unpleasant odor
Masking Agents
Deodorants
Perfuming Materials
Eosine and Erythrosine are primarily used to color the
Embalmed tissues
Ponceau Red is used primarily to color the
Embalming Fluid
In an arterial embalming fluid, making agents function is to
enhance the odor of the embalming fluid
One of the most common deodorants used in embalming fluids is an ester
Methyl Salicylate aka Oil of Wintergreen
Methyl Salicylate is what?
An ester
What are some other deodorants found in embalming fluids?
Benzaldehyde aka Oil of bitter almonds
Oil of Sassafras
Oil of Cloves
The solvents that serve as the carriers of the components found in embalming fluid
Vehicles
Vehicles must be ______ with other components found in the embalming solution
Miscible
Vehicles must not react with the other components in any manner that would
Interfere with their action on the tissues of the body
The most common vehicles used in the embalming fluids are
Water
Alcohols
Organic Solvents
Water is not an
Organic Solvent
Chemicals for which there may be greatly varying demands depending upon the type of embalming, the environment, and the embalming fluid to be used
Arterial Modifying Agents
There are various types of modifying agents, including
Humectants
Buffers
Water conditioning agents
Surfactants
Chemicals which create an increased capability for embalmed tissues to retain moisture
Humectants
Some of the chemicals used as humectants include
Glycerol
Sorbitol
Glycols
Lanolin
This acts as an emollient when injected into the body
Lanolin
This is said to give a soft like feel to the body
An Emollient
Chemicals which have a stabilizing effect on the acid-base balance (pH) of the embalming solutions and tissues of the body
Buffers
Some of the more common buffers are
Borax
Sodium Phosphate
Citrates
EDTA
These chemicals are added when the water used to dilute the concentrated fluid is known to have or suspected of containing the ions that cause hardness of water
Water Conditioning Agents
What substances cause water hardness?
Calcium and magnesium ions
Water hardness causes the blood to
Coagulate
The more commonly used water conditioning agents in arterial solutions are
Sodium Citrate and EDTA
These could also be used as water conditioning agents but their use is limited because of their toxicity
Oxalate Salts
The chemicals which reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid and thereby enables the fluid to flow through smaller apertures
Surfactants
Surface Active Agents
Wetting Agents
Surfactants are the substances which cause the __________ in dishwasher detergents which prevent spots from forming on glasses
Sheeting Action
The most common examples of surfactants used in embalming fluids are
Sulfonates and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
The alcohols found in the cavity fluids may include
Methanol
Ethanol
Isoproponol
Those specialized fluids used in addition to other embalming fluids or instead of another embalming fluid
Accessory Fluids
Those chemical formulations that would be used to flush out the circulatory system before the normal embalming fluid is injected arterially
Pre-injection fluids
Pre-injection fluids usually contain
Surfactants Water conditioning Agents Anticoagulants Humectants Very low concentrations of preservatives
Used to enhance the natural life-like appearance of the body
Restorative Fluids
Restorative fluids are usually mostly
Humectants
Special fluids used to minimize or reduce the effects of jaundice on the body while embalming
Jaundice fluids
Jaundice fluids contain low concentrations of
Formaldehyde
Bleaching agents
Reducing Agents
Special peservative fluids used to meet a very high formaldehyde demand of certain embalming cases
High Index Fluids
High index fluids are usually in the index range of
30-40 %
Those chemicals used to specifically embalm those areas of the body that can not be arterially injected in autopsy cases
Autospy Chemicals
Solid autopsy chemicals used to treat the viscera and the cavities of the autopsied body
Hardening Compounds
The components of hardening compounds are
Paraformaldehyde Aluminum chloride alum plaster of paris some type of filler
Chemicals which prevent or inhibit the formation of mold on the body surface
Mold Inhibitors
This may be applied to a body surface such as the face before applying the cosmetics to reduce the possibility of mold from forming on the body
Carbolated Vasoline
This may be placed in the sealed casket to prevent mold from forming on the body
Paradichlorobenzene
What are the various factors that will influence shelf life?
Temperature Storage Length Amount of methanol present pH of solution Exposure to light
