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Histopathology > Signs Of Death > Flashcards

Signs Of Death Flashcards

1
Q

What is the ‘tripod of life’ in the context of death definition?

A

Permanent and irreversible stoppage of respiration, circulation, and brain function.

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2
Q

Differentiate between somatic death and molecular death.

A

Somatic death involves extinction of personality, loss of vital processes; Molecular death is progressive disintegration of body tissues.

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3
Q

Name the three phases of death and a key characteristic of each.

A

Pallor mortis: paleness; Algor mortis: cooling of the body; Rigor mortis: stiffening of muscles.

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4
Q

What is Thanatology?

A

The scientific study of death and practices associated with it.

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5
Q

What temperature is a body’s death confirmed when it drops below?

A

21°C or lower.

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6
Q

What are the Philadelphia Protocol’s criteria for death?

A

Includes lack of responsiveness, absence of breathing for 3 minutes, absent reflexes, and isoelectric EEG.

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7
Q

Explain Harvard Criteria for death determination.

A

No movements, unresponsiveness, apnea, absence of reflexes, and isoelectric EEG.

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8
Q

List signs used to confirm death.

A

No pupil reaction, no jaw reflex, no gag reflex, no response to pain, no breathing, temperature above 30°C.

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9
Q

What is ‘Suspended Animation’?

A

A state where signs of life reduce to a minimal level, leading to possible survival upon resuscitation.

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10
Q

Name some causes of suspended animation.

A

Shock, hypothermia, drowning, barbiturate poisoning, epilepsy, sunstroke.

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11
Q

Describe the appearance of Tache Noire Sclerotique.

A

Two brownish triangular opacities on either side of the cornea, appearing 3-6 hours postmortem.

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12
Q

Define the term ‘adipocere’.

A

A waxy substance formed by hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fat, preserving the body longer.

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13
Q

What changes occur in the cornea postmortem?

A

Becomes soft, hazy, opaque; Tache Noire develops; intraocular tension drops.

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14
Q

What is Rigor Mortis and when does it begin?

A

Stiffening of muscles postmortem due to ATP depletion, starting within 1-2 hours after death.

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15
Q

How long does rigor mortis last?

A

Develops over 12 hours, remains for 12 hours, and disappears over the next 12 hours.

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16
Q

Explain ‘algor mortis’.

A

The gradual cooling of the body after death, which may help estimate the time of death.

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17
Q

How does body temperature affect algor mortis rate?

A

Larger body mass, clothing, obesity, and environmental conditions affect rate of cooling.

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18
Q

What is livor mortis and when does it appear?

A

Postmortem staining due to blood settling in lower parts of body, developing within 0.5-1 hour and maxing in 6-12 hours.

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19
Q

List three types of muscle stiffening and their causes.

A

Rigor mortis (ATP depletion), heat stiffening (>65°C, coagulates muscle protein), gas stiffening (gas buildup).

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20
Q

Differentiate rigor mortis from cadaveric spasm.

A

Rigor mortis involves all muscles after death, cadaveric spasm affects only voluntary muscles immediately after death.

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21
Q

What color changes occur in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A

Cherry-red color due to increased carboxyhemoglobin levels.

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22
Q

Define marbling in the context of postmortem changes.

A

Green-brown discoloration of superficial veins due to Clostridium welchii bacterial activity.

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23
Q

What are common body areas affected first by decomposition?

A

Larynx and trachea, followed by stomach, spleen, and small intestine.

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24
Q

Explain the function of embalming fluid components.

A

Preservatives (e.g., formalin), antiseptics (e.g., phenol), wetting agents, anticoagulants, buffers, vehicle (water).

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25
Q

What is the I card test?

A

Hypodermic injection of fluorescein; no skin discoloration if circulation has stopped.

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26
Q

What factors affect the rate of rigor mortis?

A

Temperature, physical exertion before death, and ambient conditions.

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27
Q

What is the Kevorkian sign?

A

Segmented or fragmented retinal blood vessels, used to estimate time since death.

28
Q

Describe ‘putrefaction’.

A

Decomposition involving color change, gas formation, and liquefaction of tissue.

29
Q

What organs decompose last in males and females?

A

Prostate in males, non-gravid uterus in females.

30
Q

List indicators used to estimate time of death.

A

Body warmth and rigidity: warm/flaccid (under 3 hours), warm/stiff (3-8 hours), cold/stiff (8-36 hours), cold/flaccid (over 36 hours).

31
Q

Explain the term ‘autolysis’.

A

Enzyme-driven cellular breakdown postmortem.

32
Q

What is pallor mortis?

A

The immediate paleness of skin following death.

33
Q

What is the Winslow test?

A

Glass of water on chest to detect breathing by observing movement.

34
Q

What is cadaveric spasm?

A

Instantaneous muscle stiffening in specific cases, preserving last body position.

35
Q

What is the most common condition linked with suspended animation?

A

Hypothermia.

36
Q

How does adipocere form, and what conditions favor it?

A

From body fat hydrolysis in warm, moist environments with certain bacterial activity (e.g., Clostridium welchii).

37
Q

What postmortem change is caused by a drop in ATP?

A

Rigor mortis due to lack of muscle contraction relaxation.

38
Q

How is decomposition inhibited?

A

By poisons such as strychnine, arsenic, carbon monoxide, or cyanide.

39
Q

What does the Harvard Criteria say about reflexes?

A

All reflexes, including corneal and vestibulo-ocular, must be absent.

40
Q

What skin changes occur early after death?

A

Loss of elasticity and pallor, with possible lividity.

41
Q

What biochemical changes occur in the eye after death?

A

Elevated potassium, sodium, and vitamin C levels; LDH and glutamic acid increase.

42
Q

What is the significance of skin elasticity loss?

A

Indicates early postmortem changes and cessation of physiological function.

43
Q

Describe the sequence of rigor mortis onset.

A

Starts in jaw/neck, progresses to arms and lower limbs.

44
Q

What changes indicate cellular death in rigor mortis?

A

Loss of actin-myosin separation due to ATP depletion.

45
Q

How does environmental temperature influence rigor mortis?

A

High temperatures speed onset; low temperatures slow it down.

46
Q

What is the Magnus test?

A

Ligature tied on finger base; if no color change, circulation has ceased.

47
Q

List conditions that cause livor mortis.

A

Position of body, gravity, capillary stasis, environmental factors.

48
Q

What body temperature indicates possible survival after cold-water drowning?

A

Above 30°C.

49
Q

What is the gag reflex test in death confirmation?

A

Touching the throat to induce vomiting; absence indicates death.

50
Q

What eye condition occurs from desiccation after death?

A

Tache Noire Sclerotique in cornea.

51
Q

How do poisons affect color changes in death?

A

Different poisons cause distinct colorations, e.g., cyanide (red), methanol (purple).

52
Q

What reflexes are tested to confirm death?

A

Pupil, corneal, supraorbital, snort, and deep tendon reflexes.

53
Q

What is the role of adipocere in preservation?

A

Inhibits bacterial growth, slows decomposition.

54
Q

What is the railroading phenomenon?

A

Segmented appearance of retinal blood vessels after death.

55
Q

How is suspended animation used in yoga?

A

Voluntary practice to achieve minimal life signs.

56
Q

What is marbling?

A

Discoloration pattern of superficial veins due to bacterial activity in blood.

57
Q

What is the feather test?

A

A feather placed near nose/mouth; lack of movement confirms absence of breathing.

58
Q

What is the Doll’s head phenomenon?

A

Lack of eye movement when head is turned, used in brainstem death diagnosis.

59
Q

How does cadaveric spasm differ from rigor mortis?

A

Cadaveric spasm occurs immediately in voluntary muscles; rigor mortis involves all muscles.

60
Q

What indicates primary flaccidity?

A

Initial muscle relaxation post-somatic death before rigor mortis sets in.

61
Q

Explain the importance of the corneal reflex in death assessment.

A

Absence suggests brainstem death.

62
Q

What are changes in intraocular pressure postmortem?

A

Drops rapidly to zero within hours.

63
Q

What factors influence postmortem cooling?

A

Body mass, surface area, clothing, and environmental conditions.

64
Q

What is the effect of CO poisoning on cadaver color?

A

Produces a characteristic cherry-red color.

65
Q

Describe a superficial sign of death.

A

Absence of pupil response to light.

66
Q

What role does hypostasis play in determining time of death?

A

Progression of blood settling can help estimate elapsed time since death.

Histopathology (10 decks)

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