Embalming Glossary Flashcards
antemortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm object resulting in the removal of the epidermis
abrasion
to touch or contact as with the tarsal plates of the closed eyes
abut
a group of chemicals used in addition to vascular (arterial) and cavity embalming fluids; includes but isn’t limited to hardening compounds, preservative powders, sealing agents, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and kapok’s sarcoma.
accessory chemical
a specific group of diseases or conditions which are indicative of severe immunosuppression related to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus; may exhibit conditions such as wasting syndrome, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and kaposies sarcoma
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
These levels are established to ensure adequate protection of employees at exposures below the OSHA limits, but to minimize the compliance burdens for employers whose employees have exposures below the 8 hour permissible exposure limit (PEL) ; AL for foraldehyde is 0.5 ppm
Action level
hyperemia due to an increased afflux of arterial blood into dilated capillaries
active hyperemia
that pressure which is indicated by the injector gauge needle when the arterial tube is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body
actual pressure
grave wax; soft whitish crumbly or greasy material that forms upon the postmortem hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fats
adipocere
in the presence of free oxygen
Aerobic
to disperse as an aerosol; minute particles of blood and water become atomized and suspended in air when water under pressure meets the blood drainage or when flushing an uncovered sink
aerosolization
intravascular; the increase of viscosity of blood brought about the clumping of particulate formed elements in the blood vessels
agglutination
relating to the process of dying or the moment of death so called because of the former erroneous notion that dying is a painful process; refers to moribund.
agonal
(moribund) decrease in body temperature immediately before death; the body tissues cool; is an antemortem temperature change
agonal algor
in reference to blood, a change from a fluid into a thickened mass
agonal coagulation
the loss of moisture from the living body during the atonal state
agonal dehydration
escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location
agonal edema
increase in body temperature immediately before death
agonal fever
period immediately before somatic death
agonal period
an agonal or postmortem redistribution of host microflora on a hostwide basis
agonal translocation
post mortem cooling of the body to the surrounding temperature
algor mortis
method of injection-drainage in which embalming solution is injected and then injection is stopped while the drainage is opened
alternate drainage
in the absence of free oxygen
anaerobic
severe generalized edema
anascara
a descriptive reference for locating arteries and veins by means of anatomical structures that are known
anatomical guide
the body is erect, feet together, palms facing forward, and thumbs are pointed away from the body
anatomical position
localized abnormal dilation or out pocketing of a blood vessel resulting from a congenital defect or a weakness of the vessel wall
aneurysm
an embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels
aneurysm hook
an embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels, which has an eye in the hook portion of the instrument for placing ligatures around vessels
aneurysm needle
a multipurpose instrument used in the embalming process
angular spring forceps
deviations from normal
anomalies
in front of the elbow/bend of the elbow
antecubital
before death
antemortem
before death; an example being gangrene
antemortem cellular death
toward the front
anterior
a bony protuberance, that can be palpated topographically, found on the ilium the superior, broad portion of the hipbone; the origin of the inguinal ligament and the sartorial muscle
anterior superior iliac spine
condition in which the manifestations of life are feebly maintained
apparent death
the concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that will be diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming; the purpose is for inactivating saprophytic bacteria and rendering the body tissues less susceptible to decomposition
arterial (vascular) fluid
the mixture of arterial (vascular) fluid and water which is used for the arterial injection and may include supplemental fluids
arterial solution
a tube used to inject embalming fluid into the blood vascular system
arterial tube
the term applied to a number of pathological conditions causing a thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries
arteriosclerosis
place of union between two or more bones
articulation
accumulation of serious fluids in the peritoneal cavity
ascites
freedom from infection and from any form of life; sterility
asepsis
insufficient intake of oxygen resulting from numerous causes
asphyxia
withdrawal of gas, fluids and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by means of suction with an aspirator and a trocar
aspiration
a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals
astringent
fatty degeneration or thickening of the walls of the larger arteries occurring in arthosclerosis
atheroma
ability to hear; auditor faculty
audition
apparatus used for sterilization by steam pressure, usually at 250F/ 121C for a specific time
autoclave
self-destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance
autolysis
a postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition; a necropsy
autopsy
destructive to bacteria
bactericidal agent
agent that has the ability to inhibit or retard bacterial growth; no destruction of viability of the microorganism is implied
bacteriostatic agent
resins combined with oil; a fragrant resinous, oily exudate from various trees and plants
balsamic substance
arm pit
base of the axillary space
established by drawing a line along the fold of skin which envelops the lateral border of the pectorals muscle
(anterior) boundary
established by drawing a line along the fold of skin which envelopes the lateral border of the pectoralis muscle
(posterior) boundary
established by drawing a line which connects the two points where the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles blend into the chest wall
(medial) boundary
established by drawing a line which connects the two points where the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles blend into the arm
(lateral) boundary
a carcinogen potentially produced when formaldehyde and sodium hypochlorite come into contact with each other; normally occurs only in a controlled laboratory setting and requires a catalyst
Bischloromethyl Ether - BCME
biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans
biohazard
irreversible somatic death
biological death
a chemical which lightens a skin discoloration
bleaching agents
tissue that circulates through the vascular system and is composed of approximately 22% solids and 78% water
blood
the pressure exerted by the blood in the living body on the arterial wall measured in millimeters of mercury
blood pressure
regulating the employees exposure to blood and other body fluids. Osha regulations (29cfr 1910-1030) osha definition; products made from human blood
blood borne pathogen rule
pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans; these pathogens include but not limited to hep B virus and HIV
blood borne pathogens
the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface
contaminated
laundry which has been soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials or may contain sharps
contaminated laundry
any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including but not limited too, needles, scalpels, broken glass, and exposed wire ends
contaminated sharps
controls (e.g. sharps disposal container, self sheathing needles) that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogen hazard from the workplace
engineering controls
a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral, contact with blood or potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employees duties
exposure incident
reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral, contact with blood or there potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employees duties
occupational exposure
piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needle sticks, human bites, cuts and abrasions
parenteral
specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard
PPE
an approach to infection control whereby all blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known infections for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens
universal precautions
controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed.
work practice controls
discolorations resulting from changes in blood composition, content, or location, either intravascular or extravascular
blood discoloration
circulatory network composed of the heart, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venues, and veings
blood vascular system
the separation and pushing aside of the superficial fascia leading to blood vessels and then the deep fascia surrounding the blood vessels, utilizing manual techniques or round ended instruments which separate rather than cut the protective tissues
blunt dissection
acute, deep- seated inflammation in the skin which usually begins as a subcutaneous swelling in a hair follicle
boil
temporary interrupted suture; individual stitch knotted at the tissue edge; maybe applied prior to embalming to align tissues
bridge suture
vestibule of the oral cavity; the space between the lips, gums, and teeth
buccal cavity
self-contained, soft rubber manual pump designed to create pressure to deliver fluid as it passes through one-way valves located within the bulb; it is used to deliver fluids; cannot be used for aspiration
bulb syringe
an embalming chemical which affects the stabilization of the acid base (ph) balance within the solutions and in the embalmed tissues
buffers
dead human body used for medical purposes; including transplantation, anatomical dissection and study
cadaver
liver mortis; postmortem, intravascular, red-blue discoloration resulting from hypostasis of the blood
cadaveric lividity
a prolongation of the last violent contraction of the muscles into the rigidity of death; instantaneous rigor mortis
cadaveric lividity
a prolongation of the last violent contraction of the muscles into the rigidity of death; instantaneous rigor mortis
cadaveric spasm
the dome-like superior portion of the cranium; that portion removed during the cranial autopsy
calvarium
a device used as a means of fastening the calvarium after a cranial autopsy
calvarium clamp
formation of new channels in tissue
canalization
minute blood vessels, the walls of which comprise a single layer of endothelial cells; capillaries connect the smallest arteries (arteriole) with the smallest veins (venule) and are where pressure filtration occurs
capillaries
ability of substances to diffuse through capillary walls into the tissue spaces
capillary permeability
a compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen; sugars, starches, and glycogen
carbohydrate
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
carbon monoxide
circumscribed inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues that ends in suppuration and is accompanied by systemic symptoms, such as fever and leukocytosis
carbuncle
a cancer causing chemical or material
carcinogen
the formation of cavities in an organ or tissue; frequently seen in some forms of tuberculosis
cavitation
direct Treatment, other than vascular (arterial) injection, of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and injection
cavity embalming
embalming chemical which are injected in the cavities of the body following the aspiration in the cavity embalming; cavity fluid can also be used as the chemical in hypodermic and surface embalming
cavity fluid
death of the individual cells in the body
cellular death
ascending and/or arch of the aorta
center of fluid distribution
right atrium of the heart
center of venous drainage
embalming machine that uses an electrical pump to create pressure either pulsating or non pulsating
centrifugal force machine
a major agency of the US department of health and human services, with HQ in ATL, GA, concerned withal phases of control of communicable, vector borne, and occupational diseases
CDC; CDCP
substances that bind metallic ions such as EDTA; used as an anticoagulant in embalming solutions
Chelate
a change in the bodys chemical composition that occurs after death such as hemolysis
chemical postmortem change
the application of chemical reagents in the treatment of disease in man, causing an elevated preservation demand
chemotherapy
anaerobic gram positive rod bacterium that produces epsilon toxin; can be used as a bioweapon; A type of bacteria that is most common agent of gas gangrene and can also cause food poisoning as well as a fulminant form of bowel disease (necrotizing colitis)
clostridium perfringens
a phase of somatic death lasting from 5-6 minutes in which life may be restored
clinical death
chemical and physical agents that bring about coagulation
coagulating agents
the process of converting soluble protein into insoluble protein by heating or contact with a chemical such as an alcohol or an aldehyde; the solidification of a sol into a gelatinous mass; agglutination is a specific form of coagulation
coagulation
a fluid used primarily to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) solutions
connection fluid
the irreversible cessation of brain activity and loss of consciousness; death beginning at the brain
coma
disease that may be transmitted either directly or indirectly between individuals by an infectious agent
communicable disease
disinfection practices carried out during the embalming process
concurrent disinfection
method of drainage in which drainage occurs continuously during vascular (arterial) injection
concurrent drainage
rounded articular process of a bone
condyle
mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white portion of the eye
conjunctiva
disease that may be transmitted between individuals with reference to the organism that causes the disease
contagious disease
transparent part of the tunic of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light into the interior
cornea
that portion of the corner recovered for transplantation in situ
corneal sclera button
an official of a local community who holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths
coroner
obesity; having an abnormal amount of fat on the body
corpulence
embalming fluid that contains dyes and coloring agents intended to restore a more natural skin tone through the embalming process
cosmetic fluid
dye that helps to cover internal discolorations such as jaundice
counter staining compound
plastic garment designed to cover the body from the chest down to the upper thigh
coverall
method used to embalm the contents of the cranial cavity through aspiration and injection of the cranial chamber by passage of a trocar through the cribriform plate
cranial embalming
those elements remaining after cremation of a dead human body
cremated remains
crackling sensation produced when gasses trapped in tissues are palpated as in subcutaneous emphysema
crepitation
a disease of the central nervous system with unknown etiology, assumed to be a slow virus; because of the unknown etiology, care givers using invasive procedures use extreme caution
creutzfeldt-jacob disease
thin, medial portion of the ethmoid bone of the skull
cribriform plate
a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes ; a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished
cyanosis
irreversible cessation of all vital functions (non-legal definition)
death
noise made by a moribund person caused by air passing through a residue of mucous in the trachea and posterior oral cavity
death rattle
the semi-convulsive twitches which often occur before death
death struggle
decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria; aerobic proteolysis
decay
separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes
decomposition
loss of moisture from a body tissue which may occur ante/post mortem
dehydration
a protein whose structure has been changed by a physical or chemical agent
denatured protein
process of drying out
desiccation
skin slips; sloughing off of the epidermis, wherein there is a separation of the epidermis from the underlying dermis
desquamation
separation of substances in solution by the difference in their rates of diffusion through a semipermeable membrane
dialysis
the difference between potential and actual pressure
differential pressure
the movement of molecules or other particles in a solution from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration until uniform concentration is reached
diffusion
passage of some components of the injected embalming solution from an intravascular to an extravascular location; movement of the embalming solutions from the capillaries into the interstitial fluids
diffusion (fluids)
anatomical term describing fingers and toes; the thumb is #1 for each hand as is the large toe for the feet
digits
any abnormal color in or upon the human body
discoloration
any deviation from or interruption of the normal structure or function of a body part, organ or system.
disease
an agent, usually chemical, applied to an inanimate object/surface to Destry disease-causing microbial agents but usually not bacterial spores
disinfectant
the destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on a body
disinfection
the movement of embalming solutions from the point of injection throughout the arterial system and into the capillaries
distribution (fluid)
tubular instrument of varying diameter and shape , preferably with a plunger that is inserted into a vein in drainage of blood and to restrict the exit of vascular embalming fluid
drain tube
discharge or withdrawal of blood, interstitial fluid and embalming fluids from the body
drainage
OSHA required safety device for a release of copious amount of water in a short period of time
drench shower
condition that results when the body part that dies had little blood and remains aseptic and occurs when the arteries but not the veins are obstructed
dry gangrene
coloring agent
dye
extravasation of blood into tissue; a bruise
ecchymosis
record of the electrical activity of the heart
electrocardiogram (ECG)
abnormal accumulation of fluids in tissues or body cavities
edema
a record of the electrical activity of the brain
electroencephalogram (EEG)
a device that uses a motor to create a suction for the purpose of aspiration
electric aspirator
an electrically heated blade which may be used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue and restore contour
electric spatula
process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition and to restore an acceptable physical appearance
embalming
direct treatment other than vascular (arterial) embalming of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and the injection of chemicals using a trocar
embalming (cavity)
injection of embalming chemicals directly into tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or trocar
embalming (hypodermic)
direct contact of internal or external body tissues with embalming chemicals
embalming (surface)
the use of vascular systems of the body for preservations, disinfection and restoration; usually accomplished through injection of embalming solutions into the arteries and drainage from the veins
vascular embalming
