quiz 6 Flashcards
adipocere
“grave wax”
the final product of fat decomposition
chemical change
agonal period
the period occurring just before death
Length of period cannot be measured in defined parameters
person is said to be moribund, or actively dying during this state
algor mortis
cooling of the body to the temperature of the surrounding environment
biological death
the irreversible phase of somatic death and represents the cessation of simple body processes. The organs in the body no longer function
clinical death
when spontaneous respiration and heartbeat irreversibly cease
clostridium perfringens
an anaerobic, spore forming bacillus responsible for true tissue gas
death rattle
a gurgling, or rattling in the throat caused by the accumulation of mucus and exacerbated by loss of the cough
desquamation
aka skin slip, is a sign of decomposition
death struggle
presents as reflexive twitching of the muscles, marking the final efforts to sustain life
hypostasis
gravitation of blood and body fluids to depended areas of the body
postmortem physical change
imbibition
the ability of the cells to draw moisture from the surrounding area into themselves
postmortem caloricity
temporary rise in body temperature after death
postmortem cellular death
the process during which individual cells die. It may take a matter of hours depending on numerous variables
postmortem chemical changes
postmortem caloricity, postmortem stain, decomposition, change in pH
postmortem stain
extravascular color change brought about by hemolysis; liberated hematin seeps through capillary walls and into the body tissues; cannot be removed by arterial injection
chemical change
purge
sign of decomposition, fluid is forced from the orifices of the body
rigor mortis
creates extravascular resistance; body positioning and feature settling challenges; tissue distension during arterial injection; increases preservative demand…pH changes affect chemical reaction of embalming solution… false sign of preservation
somatic death
is defined as death of the entire body
actually a process and not a moment in time
is realized once the body loses ability to sustain physiologic and metabolic activity
body transfer board
Aka smooth mover
These thin, smooth, flat polyethylene boards, are strong, non absorbent, and easily cleaned
brain death
occurs in a sequence of events that are a function of time without oxygen. The first part of the brain to die, usually in 5-6 minutes is the cerebral cortex. Next the midbrain dies, followed by the brain stem
postmortem physical changes
algor mortis, hypostasis, livor mortis, dehydration, increased viscosity of blood, endogenous invasion of microorganisms
calvarium clamp
holds skull bones in place after autopsy
centrifugal pump
Potential pressure
Actual pressure
Differential
electric spatula
used to draw excess swelling and to displace moisture under the skin
always keep moving and use lots of massage cream
needle injector
used to insert a “barb” into the mandible and maxilla to hold the jaw closed
