MORS 11 Lecture- vocab and additional notes Flashcards
1
Q
A non-toxic disinfectant suitable for use on animal tissue.
A
Antiseptic
2
Q
Freedom from infection and from any form of life- sterility
A
Asepsis
3
Q
An agonal bacterial invasion of the body, usually by the putrefactive bacterial, usually confined to the colon, migrating into the blood vascular and skeleton system.
- presence of bacteria in the blood
A
Bacteremia
4
Q
Destructive to bacteria.
A
Bactericidal
5
Q
Destruction of bacteria by action of certain chemical substances.
A
Bacteriolysis
6
Q
Agent that has the ability to inhibit or retard bacterial growth; no destruction of viability of the microorganism is implied.
A
Bacteriostatic Agent
7
Q
Removal of infectious agents by scrubbing and washing, as with hot water, soap, or suitable detergent.
A
Cleaning
8
Q
An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects or surfaces for the purpose of destroying disease-causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores.
A
Disinfectant
9
Q
The destruction and or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body.
A
Disinfection
10
Q
An agent, usually chemical, applied either to inanimate objects or surfaces or living tissues for the purpose of destroying disease-causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores.
A
Germicide
11
Q
An agent, usually chemical, that possesses disinfecting properties when applied to a pre-cleaned object or surface.
A
Sanitizer
12
Q
A process that renders a substance free of all microorganisms.
A
Sterilization
13
Q
Formulated by the action of pure phenol on pure cultures of Bacillus typhosus or other similar bacteria. The relative germicidal value of other disinfectants is determined by comparing their germ killing power with that of phenol under identical conditions.
- Less killing power is less than 1.0
- More killing power is greater than 1.0
A
Phenol- Coefficient
14
Q
The process in which a gaseous agent is used to destroy rodents and insects. Some are:
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Sulfur dioxide
- HCHO gas (formaldehyde gas)
A
Fumigation
15
Q
An agent which is destructive to insect larvae (maggots are primary larvae), such as:
- Malathion
- Diazinon
- Chlordane
A
Larvacide
16
Q
A chemical agent capable of destroying saprophytic or pathogenic fungi such as mold. (Fungi are more resistant than bacteria to chemical agents and can easily survive on an embalmed body.)
A
Fungicide
17
Q
Is a poor, almost useless fungicidal agent.
A
Formaldehyde
18
Q
Has fungicides built into them.
A
Preservative jelly, such as Postene (phenol)
19
Q
- Mucor
- Aspergillis
- Penicillium
A
Common, most troublesome molds that the embalmer must face
20
Q
- Carbolated Vaseline
2. Paradichlorobenzene
A
The fungicides most commonly used by embalmers
21
Q
A substance able to destroy lice. Example: Rid
A
Pediculicide
22
Q
An agent destructive to adult forms of insect life; same chemicals as larvicide.
A
Pesticide (Insecticide)
23
Q
The metabolic entity of growth, reproduction and locomotion.
A
Life
24
Q
A group of cells will form a tissue, groups of tissue will form organs, groups of organs will form systems, and groups of systems will form an:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain
A
Individual Organism
25
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain
Tripod of Life
26
The irreversible, total cessation of metabolic activity.
- Necrobiosis
- Necrosis
Death
27
The death of certain groups of cells and their subsequent replacement by new cells in the normal course of bodily activities.
Necrobiosis
28
The pathological death of certain cells or tissues of a still living body.
- Gangrene
- Dry gangrene
- Wet Gangrene
- Gas Gangrene
Necrosis
29
Antemortem cellular death.
Gangrene
30
The result of a blockage or degenerative condition of the arteries (arterial obstruction).
Dry Gangrene
31
The result of a blockage or a degenerative condition of the veins ( venous obstruction).
Wet Gangrene
32
Caused by an organism called clostridium perfringen (bacillus welshii).
Gas Gangrene
33
Life = Gas gangrene
| Death =
Tissue Gas
34
The antemortem development of a bed sore into necrotic tissue which may become fatal.
Decubitus Ulcers
35
The period just prior to death.
- Death rattle
- Death struggle
- Instantaneous rigor mortis (cadaveric spasm)
Moribund (dying period, agonal period)
36
A noise made by a moribund person which is caused by air passing through a residue of mucus in the trachea and the posterior oral cavity.
Death Rattle
37
The semi-convulsive twitches which often occur before death; It is caused by death of the nervous system.
Death Struggle
38
The last act in life is preserved in death (anything involving sudden or over production of sarcolactic acid. I.e., combat, sports, automobile accidents.
Instantaneous Rigor Mortis (Caderveric spasm)
39
The condition in which the manifestations of life are feebly maintained.
- Suspended animation
- Catalepsy
Apparent Death
40
A temporary condition of apparent death with cessation of respiration.
Suspended animation
41
A condition in which there is a waxy rigidity of the body and the vital phenomena of life are feebly maintained; body does not respond to stimuli.
Catalepsy
42
The body of the deceased human being including the cremated remains of a person.
1- Cadaver
2- Cremains
3- Thanatology
Human Remains
43
A dead human body preserved and especially used for dissection. (inject onlys here at school)
Cadaver
44
Cremated remains; those elements remaining following the cremation of a body.
Cremains
45
The study of death.
Thanatology
46
The death of the whole organism, specifically the death of the heart, brain and lungs.
Somatic Death
47
1- Is the qualitative expression of dying marked by the cessation of cardiac and respiratory activity.
2. The period is brief, not more than 5-6 minutes
3. The highly specialized cells of the nervous system are dying quickly due to the lack of oxygen (anoxia)
4. It is possible during this period to mechanically restore some form of existence, not exactly life, but a state between somatic death and complete cellular death.
Clinical Death (Legal Death)
48
1. The tissue and organs have undergone irreversible changes so that restoration of normal life function is impossible.
2. Highly specialized cells are already dead and the remaining cells are dying.
3. Complete cellular death has not occurred yet, and the muscles still respond to electrical shock.
4. The tissue is becoming acid, and rigor mortis is developing in the muscle tissue.
5. Autolysis which is the digestion of tissue cells by their own enzymes is beginning (simply, self-digestion)
6. Saprophytic organisms are starting to infiltrate into the bloodstream and skeletal tissue (systems that attract e.coli) from the intestinal tract.
Biological Death
49
1. Asphyxia (apnea)
2. Coma
3. Syncope
4. Anemia
5. Astenia
Modes of Somatic Death
50
Death beginning at the lungs.
Asphyxia (apnea)
51
Death beginning at the brain.
Coma
52
Death beginning at the heart.
Syncope
53
Cardia failure due to an insufficient blood supply. (ischemia)
Anemia
54
A weakness or feebleness of any organ to function.
Astenia
55
Examples:
1. Syncope by anemia
2. Syncope by asthenia
3. Coma
4. Asphyxia (apnea)
Most postmortem findings are the results from the modes of somatic death.
56
- Heart contracted and empty vascular breakdown with probable ruptured aneurysm.
- No blood discolorations on the surface indicating massive internal hemorrhage.
- To embalm you will need a six pointer most likely.
Syncope by anemia
57
- Blood stopped in its course and found to be plentiful in both arteries and veins.
- Numerous agonal clots (antemortem, clot formation occurring during the agonal stage).
- Vascular system still intact.
- To embalm, usually one point injection with two points of drainage.
Syncope by asthenia
58
- Blood in the arteries of the brain, spinal cord and the meninges.
- Hemorrhages are common to the ears and nostrils.
- Distention and discoloration in the eyelids.
- Possible gas in the cranium due to putrefaction (bulging eyeballs).
- Rapid migration of organisms causing early decomposition.
Coma
59
- Raise both common carotids, open both jugular veins
- Inject left common carotid downward to arch of the aorta and clamp off right common carotid and nick it above the clamp to:
- Look for fluid
- Let out gasses and clots
- Fluid will enter the head from back to front because of the vertebral arteries which originate from the subclavian arteries.
Restricted Cervical Method (to embalm comas)
60
For bulging eyeballs, possible decomposition in cranial cavity.
Instant Tissue Fixation (Head Freeze)
61
- Hook Y into both common carotids, aiming upward
- One 16oz bottle of 30 index or better fluid.
- One bottle full of hot water (acts as a catalyst to embalming fluid).
- Use wet towel over machine to seal it; turn off pressure, minimize flow
- Up both carotids, try to get all 32oz in head unless you see swelling.
Cranial Cavity Decomposition- Instant Tissue Fixation (Head Freeze)
62
1. Meningitis
| 2. Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease
Beware of these things- Head Freeze (cranial cavity decomposition)
63
- Pack left nostril with petroleum jelly; insert a small-barrel trocar into it; the trocar will butt the cribriform place of the ethmoid bone (at posterior nasal cavity).
- Smack the trocar to pierce bone and aspirate.
- After aspiration, inject 3-4oz of straight cavity fluid (with hypodermic needle) through hole into brain case and then plug with batting cotton and incision sealer and petroleum jelly.
Aspirate brain- Cranial Cavity Decomposition
64
Always secondary to coma or syncope.
Asphyxia
65
- Main arteries and veins are empty
- Cyanosis of the body surface is discoloration due to an extreme congestion of the superficial capillaries with deoxygenated blood.
- Blood discoloration usually dark purple except for drowning and carbon monoxide poisoning when blood will be cherry red.
- To embalm: If ASAP- present no problem, use low pressure and flow and two points of drainage right interior jug and right femoral veins.
Asphyxia- Characteristics
66
Regardless of the basic cause of somatic death, the final cause of death is always an oxygen starvation (anoxia) of the tissue cells when the blood ceases to circulate.
Cellular Death (Molecular Death)
67
The aging process usually occurring in 14-year cycles.
Necrobiosis
68
- Wet gangrene
- Dry gangrene
- Gas gangrene
Necrosis
69
- Necrobiosis
- Necrosis
- Decubitus ulcers
Examples of antemortem cellular death
70
- Cause of death
- Condition of the body at the time of death
- Environmental conditions surrounding the body at the time of death (hot room= speeds up problem).
- Medication given to an individual before death and how it affects the embalming fluid.
Factors influencing the onset of postmortem cellular death
71
- Algor mortis
- Rigor mortis
- Livor Mortis (cadaveric lividity, postmortem lividity)
- General Decomposition
Later signs of death
72
The only positive sign of death.
General decomposition
73
The movement of the blood from the heart and arteries into the capillaries and veins which occurs at the moment of death. (bluing of body at the moment of death).
Articulo-Mortis
74
Immediately after death, the muscles are flaccid; the body is now in the stage of Primary Flaccidity (first stage). For two to three hours after death, the muscles lose all of their vital turgidity (shape and form) and remain flattened in areas pressed upon by body weight; there is general limberness.
Complete Muscular Relaxation
75
"Expression of, look of death." These are facial changes that are associated with death, such as the expression of slackness in the eyes, the mouth opens and the jaw drops back. The lips are dry and shrunken, and the facial lines are accentuated.
Facies-hypocratica
76
The postmortem cooling of the body to the surrounding environmental temperature.
Algor Mortis
77
The postmortem temporary stiffening of the voluntary and involuntary muscles as a result of chemical changes in the dead body.
Rigor Mortis
78
1. Livor Mortis
| 2. Postmortem Stain
Postmortem Discoloration
79
The postmortem gravitation of the blood into all the dependent areas of the body. (continuation of antemortem hypostasis).
Livor Mortis (Hypostasis, hypostatic congestion)
80
The postmortem condition in which congested blood undergoes a change in which the hemoglobin separates from the red blood cells and passes through the capillary walls into the tissues.
Postmortem Stain (Laking)
81
By pressing your finger on the discolored area.
- Lightens in intensity - livor mortis
- Stays the same color- Postmortem stain
How to tell the difference between livor mortis and postmortem stain
82
Which comes first? Postmortem stain or livor mortis?
Livor mortis will always occur before postmortem stain.
83
Procedures used to prove a sign of death.
Tests For Death
84
Tests for death which are employed only by doctors.
Expert Tests For Death
85
A delicate instrument for detecting almost inaudible sounds of the heart and the respiratory tract. (An expert test for death).
Stethoscope
86
An optical instrument which an accompanying light which makes it possible to examine the retina of the eye.
Ophthalmoscope
87
- Used to test the ciliary muscle (makes pupil contract in presence of light).
- If the pupil doesn't constrict in the presence of light, the subject is probably dead.
- Also detects the flow of blood in the vessels of the retina.
Use of the Ophthalmoscope
88
Not the best expert test for death because the eye becomes paralyzed in some head injuries; also because of neurological conditions like tertiary syphilis.
Ophthalmoscope
89
An expert test of death where various dyes are injected into the body to determine whether or not a circulation of blood still exists.
- Flourescein commonly used and will show up in the sclera if life persists. (light green).
Dye Injection Test
90
- Expert test of death
- Powered by 4 flashlight batteries
- Attached to the patient's forearm with electrodes which pick up and transmit otherwise imperceptible heart impulses to a magnetic indicator needle.
Electron Life Detection Devices
91
- E.E.G. - Electroencephalogram
- E.C.G. (E.K.G.) - Electrocardiogram
- A.B.R.- measures activity in the brain steam, an area that controls heart and respiratory function.
Most reliable electronic detection devices
92
Performed by a mortician, fireman, policeman, paramedic
Inexpert Tests For Death
93
- Inexpert test for death
- Ligate a finger
- If it becomes discolored and swollen, life is still present.
- If the person is dead, nothing will happen.
Ligature Test
94
- Inexpert test for death
- Inject some household ammonia hypodermically into the skin.
- Reddish reaction if life is present
- No reaction= person is dead
Ammonia Test
95
- Inexpert test for death
- Digital pressure can be applied to the radial artery, the common carotid artery, to feel for a pulse beat.
- In some cases, the dorsalis pedis artery
Pulse Test
96
- Inexpert test for death
- Examiner places his or her ear over the patient's thoracic cavity.
- If heart or lung sounds are perceptible, life is present.
Heart and Respiratory Sound Test
97
Considered unreliable:
- Not hearing a heart or lung sound in a moribund case does not establish the certainty of death.
- Heart and lung sounds are common in decomposing bodies usually due to accumulated gases, often visceral gas.
Heart and Respiratory Sound Test
98
Those changes occurring in the interval prior to somatic death.
Antemortem (agonal changes)
99
That period immediately preceding death. It is a variable period.
- Sudden accidental death, lingering illness
Agonal State
100
- Antemortem
- Agonal
- Postmortem
3 overlapping stages of bodily changes
101
- Thermal change
- Blood change
- Moisture change
- Bacterial Translocation
- Gas in tissue
- Therapeutic Agents
6 Changes in The Agonal State
102
Marked by decrease in recorded body temperature; noted in senile patients (mental and physical).
Agonal Algor
103
1. A progressive reduction in the rate of metabolism.
| 2. A general slowing of the blood circulation.
Cause of Agonal Algor
104
Marked by an increase of recorded body temperature.
Agonal Fever
105
1. Highly Infectious diseases (febrile diseases)
2. Poisons and toxemia
3. Progressive increase in the rate of bacterial and/or chemical action in the tissues.
Causes of Agonal Fever
106
- Agonal Algor
| - Agonal Fever
Temperature changes
107
- Agonal Hypostasis
| - Agonal Coagulation
Blood Changes
108
Settling of blood to the dependent parts of the body just prior to death.
Agonal Hypostasis
109
After hypostasis, the problems start. There is a settling out of blood cells, particularly the white corpuscles. The result is the formation of long, tough, laminated clots which, because of their yellow color, are called "chicken fat" clots.
Agonal Coagulation (congealing)
110
1. Pre injection - no more than 1/2 gallon
2. Low pressure - or else clots lodge on all bifurcations
3. Low flow - or else clots lodge on all bifurcations
4. At least two points of drainage
Treatment of "chicken fat" clots
111
- Agonal Exudation
- Agonal Edema
- Agonal Dehydration
Postmortem Moisture Changes
112
An outpouring of lymph into the peritoneal cavity.
| - Amount of liquid is much less than that of pathological edema.
Agonal Exudation
113
1. Vascular congestion
2. Increased capillary permeability
3. Altered osmotic pressure
Causes of agonal exudation
114
Decomposition could be accelerated and cavity fluid could be diluted.
Danger of agonal exudation
115
The escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location, caused by prolonged venous and capillary congestion.
Agonal Edema
116
A progressive condition which begins during the preagonal state and continues through the agonal state and postmortem period. Agonal desiccation (same as dehydration) is most pronounced in the lips and membranes of the upper respiratory tract. May times this occurs on the surface as agonal edema occurs in viscera and deeper areas.
Agonal Dehydration
117
Bacterial infiltration and growth from the intestinal tract to the vascular and skeletal systems causing capillary permeability changes.
- It has been proven that the anaerobic spore-forming bacilli have reached the chambers of the heart from the colon within an hour of death.
Bacterial Translocation
118
- Antemortem subcutaneous emphysema
| - Gas gangrene
Gasses in the tissues
119
The presence of free air or gas in the subcutaneous tissues. The air or gas may originate in the rupture of an airway or alveolus and migrate through the subpleural spaces to the mediastinum and neck.
- The face, chest and neck may appear swollen
- No bacteria are involved in causing this condition
- Most common cause is trauma and/or life support.
Antemortem Subcutaneous Emphysema (Aerodermectasis)
120
Causative agent is clostridium perfringens (clostridium welchii). A species of anaerobic gram-positive bacteria. The oval spores of bacteria are found in soil and in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals.
- Invasion of this bacteria into bodily tissues is almost always fatal.
Gas Gangene
121
A crackling sensation produced when gases trapped in tissue are palpated. Common to both subcutaneous emphysema and gas gangrene.
Crepitation
122
- Chemotherapeutic agents
- Blood thinner
- Antibiotics
- Vasodilator
Therapeutic agents
123
In the treatment of disease, the application of chemical reagents which are not harmful to the patient but which have a specific and toxic effect upon disease-causing microorganisms.
Chemotherapeutic Agents
124
Anticoagulants.
Blood Thinners
125
Any of variety of substances both natural and synthetic that inhibit growth of or destroy microorganisms.
Antibiotics
126
A nerve or drug which dilates the blood vessels actually causing complete relaxation of the blood vessels.
Vasodilator
127
Multiplication of bacteria in the blood.
Septecemia
128
Bacteria in tissue or in blood.
Sepsis
129
These are effective against spores while germicides are not.
Preservatives
