Postmortem Changes (Non-lesions) Flashcards
Bile Imbibition
Leakage of bile from gallbladder postmortem
Taken up by adjacent tissues
Greenish-yellow coloration imparted to tissues in contact with the gallbladder after death
Usually seen on the surrounding liver tissue and loops of gut
Hemoglobin Imbibition
Reddish discoloration of tissue by hemoglobin from lysed RBCs
Initially stains the heart and vessels
Then can spread to all tissues
Also common in fetuses
HgB released by RBC breakdown after autolysis
Pseudomelanosis
Blue-green to black discoloration of tissues, especially along the digestive tract, of iron-sulfide deposits
Reaction of H2S from putrefactive bacteria + iron in hemoglobin from lysed RBCs
Intestines & kidneys
Bacteria in the GI tract continue to grow and produce gas postmortem
Nasal/Oral Discharge
Most likely an antemortem lesion
Lots of blood indicative of hemorrhage
Bloat Line
Postmortem Gastric Rupture
Antemortem Gastric Rupture
Postmortem Intussusception
Intussusception:
When one segment of intestine becomes telescoped into the immediately distal segment of instestine
Autolysis
Autolytic Liver
Putrefaction
Part of decomposition where the action of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa) cause the dissolution of tissues into games, liquids and simple molecules
Autolysis → Putrefaction
Antemortem Thrombus
Can have a smooth or rough surface
Will be adherent to the vessel wall
More difficult to remove without breaking
Usually will have alternating layers of erythrocytes and fibrin deposition
Dry, granular and firm
Postmortem Clot
Postmortem Clotting:
Clot has a smooth & regular surface
Usually clot is in the vessel & not adherent to the vessel wall
Easily removed from vessel
Some clots, RBCs settle in gravity-dependent side
Thus, can have differences in colors
Distinct tan color through most of clot
Ex. Postmortem Clot
“Grape-jelly” appearance
Linear appearance
Uniform dark red color
Hemangiosarcoma
Liver Mortis/ Hypostatic Congestion
Algor Mortis
Rigor Mortis
