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Embalming > Test 4 Lecture Notes > Flashcards

Test 4 Lecture Notes Flashcards

1
Q

Autolysis (physical or chemical change?)

A

Chemical change

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2
Q

Postmortem caloricity -aka postmortem fever (Physical or chemical change?)

A

Chemical change

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3
Q

Algormortis (Physical or chemical change?)

A

Physical change

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4
Q

Postmortem blood changes (physical or chemical changes?)

A
  • hypostasis (physical change)
  • increase in viscosity of blood (physical change)
  • hemolysis (chemical change)
  • coagulation or clotting (physical change)
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5
Q

Change in tissue pH (physical or chemical change?)

A

Chemical change

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6
Q

Rigor mortis A.k.a. cadaveric rigidity (chemical change or physical change?)

A

Actually a physiochemical change, but if it is between chemical and physical the answer would be chemical change

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7
Q

Imbibition (Physical or chemical change?)

A

Physical change

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8
Q

Dehydration or desiccation (physical or chemical change?)

A

Physical change

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9
Q

General decomposition (physical or chemical change?)

A

Chemical change (All types of general decomp are chemical changes)

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10
Q

Postmortem physical changes are brought about by three events:

A

1) stoppage of blood circulation
2) gravitation of blood to the dependent parts of the body
3) environmental surface evaporation

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11
Q

Five postmortem physical changes

A

1) Algor mortis
2) Hypostasis
3) Livor Mortis
4) dehydration
5) increase in blood viscosity

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12
Q

Postmortem chemical changes are a result of

A

Definite chemical reactions in which new end products and byproducts are formed in the dead human body

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13
Q

Five postmortem chemical changes

A

1) change in pH
2) postmortem stain – hemolysis
3) postmortem caloricity
4) rigor mortis
5) General decomposition

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14
Q

10 types of general decomposition

A
  • hydrolysis
  • Lipolysis
  • proteolysis
  • Autolysis
  • saccharolysis
  • fermentation
  • oxidation
  • hemolysis
  • decay
  • putrefaction
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15
Q

Algor mortis

A

The postmortem cooling of the body to the surrounding temperature

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16
Q

The internal organs cool much ______than the surface tissue of the body

A

Slower

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17
Q

Intrinsic factors that govern the rate of Algor mortis

A

1) corpulence- it takes longer for an obese person too cool to surrounding temperature
2) age-The very old and very young will cool faster and go into Algor mortis much faster than healthy young adults

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18
Q

Extrinsic factors that govern the rate of Algor mortis

A

– Amount of clothing covering the body
– Temperature and humidity of the environment
– Temperature of the patient at death
-cause and manner of death

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19
Q

Hypostasis

A

Can be antemortem and later postmortem-it is the settling of blood and/or fluids to dependent portions of the body

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20
Q

Generally the thinner the blood flow, the _________ hypostasis occurs

A

Faster

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21
Q

Medications containing blood thinners _________ hypostasis

A

Maximize

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22
Q

After death, ______% of blood is in the arteries ,

______% of blood is in the veins, and _____% of blood is in the capillaries

A

5%, 10%, 85%

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23
Q

Diseases which increase the antemortem metabolic rate tend to ____________ the rate of Algor mortis

A

Decrease

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24
Q

The rate of cooling will be _______ in cases of sudden death

A

Slower

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25
Q

Exhausting or emaciating diseases will _________ Algor mortis

A

Accelerate

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26
Q

Air currents and low humidity __________ the rate of surface evaporation and speed of heat loss

A

Increase

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27
Q

High humidity and static air _________ surface evaporation And retard heat loss

A

Decrease

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28
Q

Making a pre-embalming analysis of the deceased individual the embalmer examines the effect of four factors of concerns

A

– General body condition
– Effects of disease on the body
– Effects of drug therapy on the body
– All postmortem chemical and physical changes

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29
Q

The settling of blood into dependent tissues of the body will cause smaller vessels and capillaries to ___________ thus allowing arterial fluid to enter with greater ease

A

Expand

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30
Q

The postmortem, intravascular red-blue blood discoloration resulting from hypostasis of blood. Can be removed with arterial injection and venous drainage

A

Liver mortis-aka cadaveric lividity, aka postmortem lividity

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31
Q

First stage of Livor mortis (postmortem lividity, cadaveric lividity) is _________in color, the last stage is _________.

A

Blue-pink, purple

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32
Q

Loss of moisture from the body tissues which may occur antemortem and/or postmortem (ex. Antemortem dehydration, agonal dehydration)

A

Dehydration-desiccation

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33
Q

Postmortem physical change occurring during the:

  • postmortem interval (before embalming)
  • post embalming (after embalming)
A

Postmortem dehydration

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34
Q

The _____ the postmortem interval, the better the results

A

Shorter

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35
Q

A drying of the body or tissue as a result of removal of moisture through the skin and membranes to the surrounding air as a natural process. Will retard decomp because it mitigates bacterial cell metabolism

A

Postmortem dehydration

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36
Q

Three causes of postmortem dehydration that occur prior to embalming (postmortem interval)

A

1) surface evaporation
2) imbibition
3) gravitation of serum

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37
Q

When the air is naturally dry, as in a desert or mausoleum crypt, a rapid and complete _____________ will occur.

A

Mummification

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38
Q

5 examples of Postmortem Dehydration

A

1) Lips- become hard, crusty, leathery, dark, reddish-brown in color
2) eyelids- hard, brownish in color (leathery)
3) eyeball- cupping, sclera turns tan in color
4) finger tips- hard brownish-red and shriveled
5) skin- loss of luster and elasticity

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39
Q

Absorption of fluid portion of blood by the tissues after death resluting in postmortem edema. As surface tissues dehydrate, deeper organs go into edema and swell

A

Imbibition

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40
Q

dehydration of the surface of the body.

A

Gravitation of Serum

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41
Q

Imbibition will co-exist most often in _________ cases where currents of dry air rapidly dehydrate the surface and low temperatures retard blood coagulation and permit gravitation of blood serum and plasma into more dependent areas of the body.

A

refrigerated

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42
Q

Dehydration will bring about surface discoloration ranging from a ________into_______ and finally _____.

A

yellow, brown, black

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43
Q

Dehydrated tissue discoloration cannot be __________

A

bleached

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44
Q

Causes of postmortem dehydration that occur AFTER embalming

A

1) Chemical dehydration
2) Drainage dehydration
3) environmental surface evaporation
4) Increase in blood viscosity

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45
Q

Arterial solution is too strong.

  • Use of concentrated arterial/cavity fluid in direct contact with membranes to induce dehydration.
  • Regurgitation of cavity fluid up through respiratory tract or cervical vessels
A

Chemical dehydration

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46
Q

Drainage Dehydration

A

the removal of tissue moisture may occur as a result of too rapid injection and drainage

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47
Q

most common cause; concerns with temperature, flow of air and humidity around casketed remains in the viewing room.

A

Environmental surface evaporation

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48
Q

5 results of post embalming dehydration

A

1) tissue will take on a gray cast; in severe cases, dark gray.
2) Eyes will open
3) lips will part
4) back of hands will shrivel
5) Desiccation marks, red-brown is most noticeable.

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49
Q

Three causes of increased viscosity of the blood

A

1) Imbibition

2) Gravitation
3) Agglutination of formed elements

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50
Q

Heat causes

A

coagulation

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51
Q

cause of agglutination of formed elements

A

pathological agglutination-(result of disease prior to death)- febrile diseases prior to death cause sludge substance (sticky grape jelly) in blood which coat red blood cells, making them stick together in clumps.

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52
Q

exceptions of pathological agglutination are:

A

1) Septicemia

2) Liver Disorders

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53
Q

Most ______ cases drain well

A

jaundice

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54
Q

Any condition causing ___________ will also cause agglutination of the blood, thus increasing viscosity

A

bodily dehydration

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55
Q

Left and right common carotid arteries bifurcate into

A

left and right internal and external carotid arteries

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56
Q

The descending abdominal aorta bifurcates into

A

Left and right common iliac arteries

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57
Q

The left and right popliteal arteries bifurcate into

A

left and right anterior and posterior tibial arteries

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58
Q

Left and right brachial arteries bifurcate into

A

left and right ulnar and radial arteries

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59
Q

right brachiocephalic artery bifurcates into

A

right subclavian and right common carotid arteries

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60
Q

diminished coagulability of the blood

A

Hypinosis

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61
Q

Rapidly forming clots

A
  • currant
  • sludge
  • jelly clot
  • cruor
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62
Q

clot containing all of the blood elements but having red and white cell separated into distinct layers. classified according to location.

A

slow forming clot

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63
Q

Two types of slow forming clots

A
  • vascular chicken fat clot

- cardiac chicken fat clot

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64
Q

The all white fibrin heart clot

A

few if any red blood cells, look like flesh color rubber bands.

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65
Q

Difference between antemortem clots and postmortem clots

A
  • soft consistency, especially the cruor
  • elastic and do not completely fill the blood vessel
  • never attached to vessel wall
  • homogenous as described
  • when removed unbroken, they appear as a cast of the vessel in which they were formed
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66
Q

self-destruction of cells; decomp of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance

A

Autolysis

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67
Q

Chemical catalysts which are employed by the tissue cells for the digestion and metabolism of food substances during life.

A

Enzymes

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68
Q

Accelerator substances which increase the activity of enzymes

A

co-enzymes

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69
Q

similar to antibodies. They have a marked inhibitory action on certain enzymes and serve to protect the living tissues against their own digestive agents.

A

Anti-enzymes

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70
Q

membrane bound body within the cell containing a microscopic droplet of acid hydrolase. Organelles within a cell containing digestive enzymes.

A

Lysosomes

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71
Q

All bodies in the refrigerator have two things in common

A

1) all of them will have I.D. tags

2) they will all be covered

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72
Q

Self-digestion begins with

A

The digestion of enzymes

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73
Q

The end products of Autolysis

A

1) amino acids
2) sugars
3) fatty acids
4) glycerol

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74
Q

Fermentation

A

Bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates.

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75
Q

Fermentation occurs simultaneously with ___________ and constitutes a major embalming problem

A

Putrefaction

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76
Q

Fermentation is the reduction of carbohydrates into simpler substances, usually ___________ and ____________.

A

Carbon dioxide and water

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77
Q

Bacteria, yeasts, and autolytic enzymes play a key role in

A

Fermentation and saccharolysis

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78
Q

Oxidative bacterial fermentation will always ____________ the fermentation process

A

Dominate

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79
Q

Saccharolysis is similar to

A

Fermentation

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80
Q

Putrefaction is the most unequivocal sign of

A

Death

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81
Q

Foul odors are much less with __________ than with putrefaction

A

Decay

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82
Q

Lipolysis will occur concurrently with other types of

A

Decomposition

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83
Q

One of the earliest postmortem chemical changes is the destructive influence encountered from _____________ which begins to form shortly after death, reaching its peak during rigor mortis

A

Tissue acidity

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84
Q

The source of the acid from tissue acidity (in post mortem changes) is __________________accumulated in the tissues as a result of cell metabolism and the absence of blood circulation to carry the waste material away from the tissue

A

Carbon dioxide

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85
Q

Carbon dioxide + water ——>___________

A

Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

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86
Q

A pH of ____ is where bacteria thrive

A

8

87
Q

As bodily tissue reaches a pH of 8, ____________ will directly react with __________ causing it to break down into amino acids

A

Carbonic acid, protein

88
Q

Hydrolysis of protein will begin __________

A

Putrefaction

89
Q

Cardinal signs of decomposition (COPSA)

A
  • Color
  • Odor
  • Purge
  • Skin (Desquamation)
  • Accumulation of gas
90
Q

First external sign of decomposition appears as a small circle over the right Inguinal or iliac region. What color is it?

A

Yellow green to green

91
Q

First external sign of decomp is the activity of __________ causing visceral gas with a combination of hydrogen sulfide and hemoglobin—results in spreading of green discoloration eventually covering the body

A

E. Coli

92
Q

Pink-red-purple discoloration of decomp is due to

A

Hemolysis resulting in extravascular postmortem stain.

93
Q

Dark brown discoloration of decomp accompanied by

A

Leatherized condition due to postmortem dehydration – example: freezer burn

95
Q

Putrefaction is characterized by a nauseating odor resulting from three things:

A
  • simple amines
  • complex amines (ptomines)
  • the end products of putrefaction
96
Q

Odor is much less noticeable in _________

A

Decay

97
Q

Four examples of odor causing gas

A

1) hydrogen sulfide
2) hydrogen phosphate
3) ammonia
4) mercaptans

98
Q

Formaldehyde is completely neutralized by

A

Ammonia

99
Q

The postmortem evacuation of any substance from any external orifice of the body. Specifically, the evacuation of the contents of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

A

Purge

100
Q

Purge may occur through the

A

Mouth, nose, and/or anus as a result of visceral gas pressure

101
Q

Separation of the epidermis from the dermis as a result of putrefactive softening in the rete mucosum.

A

Skin slip (Desquamation)

102
Q

The jelly like substance that binds the dermis to the epidermis; has a lot of capillaries

A

Rete mucosum

103
Q

Two kinds of skin slip

A
  • postmortem: a result of putrefaction

- antemortem: or agonal Desquamation due to conditions existing prior to death

104
Q

Conditions existing prior to death that cause skin slip

A
  • edema: most common, most likely to cause skin slip
  • I.V. Needle: infiltration
  • old and emaciated w/ unhealthy or degenerative epidermal tissue (diabetes)
  • bandages carelessly pulled off by embalmer
105
Q

Gas formed in the intestinal tract due to the activity of intestinal flora. An example is E.Coli, a facultative anaerobe.

A

Visceral gas

106
Q

Compressed air is introduced to raise the atmospheric pressure to several times normal.

A

Hyperbaric chamber

107
Q

Exposure to oxygen under conditions of greatly increased pressure usually in a hyperbaric chamber

A

H.P.O. (High oxygenated pressure)

108
Q

Dr. William Henry Welch

A

Discovered clostridium perfringen while a researcher at Johns Hopkins University and later became Dean of the Medical School

109
Q

Abdominal edema, fluid build up

A

Ascites

110
Q

Visceral gas

A

Gas in the abdomen

111
Q

Both ________ and ___________ are common intestinal flora

A

E.coli and clostridium perfringen

112
Q

Tissue gas is the same thing as

A

Postmortem emphysema

113
Q

Formation of gas in the intercellular spaces of the body caused by clostridium perfringen (clostridium welshii)

A

Tissue gas

114
Q

Tissue gas in its antemortem stage is called

A

Gas gangrene

115
Q

Embalmer’s worst nightmare

A

Gas gangrene/ tissue gas

116
Q

True/false:

It is impossible to stop the spread of tissue gas in advanced stages

A

True

117
Q

True/false:

Tissue gas can be carried from one body to another by contaminated instruments .

A

True

118
Q

Tissue gas prior to the bubble stage. When the gas-filled area is pressed upon, it has a spongy feeling and emits crackling sensation

A

Crepitation

119
Q

Tissue gas will appear first in the poorly supported tissues like

A
  • scrotum
  • neck
  • shoulders
  • eyelids
  • area around sternum
120
Q

Some embalmers have had success containing tissue gas by injecting hypodermically into gas pockets the following chemicals:

A
  • gasonline, kerosene
  • high index cavity fluid-50
  • San veno (liquid)
121
Q

Hospital life support systems can create

A

Subcutaneous emphysema

122
Q

Non-pathological condition that has no relation to putrefaction. Looks and feels like tissue gas.

A

Subcutaneous emphysema

123
Q

The signs of tissue gas and subcutaneous emphysema are similar except for two:

A
  • subcutaneous emphysema won’t bubble or blister

- subcutaneous emphysema has no odor of putrefaction

124
Q

Cause of subcutaneous emphysema

A

The influx of massive amounts of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide into the tissues causing gas formations in intercellular spaces.

125
Q

Two possible events that can lead to subcutaneous emphysema

A
  • punctured lungs as a result of trauma

- massive antemortem dosage of oxygen just prior to death

126
Q

Effects of subcutaneous emphysema on embalming

A
  • remains may turn dark or even black during injection
  • severe swelling as in tissue gas
  • no danger of early decomp; do not increase strength of fluid
  • air may be pressed out or squeezed from tissue by working gas toward an open incision or by aspiration and reaspiration
127
Q

The only positive sign of death

A

General decomposition

128
Q

Difference between subcutaneous emphysema and postmortem emphysema

A

Putrefactive odor which is present in the latter

129
Q

The factors that regulate rigor mortis are the same factors that regulate

A

Decomposition

130
Q

Fatty acids are products of

A

Lipolysis

131
Q

The break down of lipids and proteins result from the action of

A

Bacterial enzymes and autolytic enzymes

132
Q

Embalmable with good results

A

Protein

133
Q

Poor results that accompany embalming amino acids

A
  • swelling
  • no firmness
  • distortion of features
134
Q

Unembalmable

A

Amines

135
Q

Simple amines (H.H.A.M.M)

A
  • hydrogen sulfide
  • hydrogen phosphide
  • ammonia compounds
  • mercaptans
  • methane
136
Q

Complex amines (ptomines-body poisons) (P.I.N.S.C)

A
  • Putrescine
  • Indole
  • Neurine
  • Skatole
  • Cadaverine
137
Q

End products of decomposition (S.H.A.W.N.P.C)

A
  • Sulfuric Acid
  • Hydrogen
  • Ammonia
  • Water
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphoric acid
  • Carbon dioxide
138
Q

Intrinsic factors governing decomposition

A

1) age
2) sex
3) corpulence
4) cause and manner of death
5) bacterial and parasitic activity
6) pharmaceutical agents

139
Q

Extrinsic factors governing decomposition

A

1) air
2) moisture
3) temperature
4) bacterial and parasitic activity
5) pressure due to earth or clothing
6) vermin including maggots, lace, and rats

140
Q

Stillborn infants decompose very slowly because of the absence of

A

Intestinal flora

141
Q

Infants which have lived long enough to be fed or have breathed will decompose rapidly because of

A

An abundance of intestinal flora

142
Q

An aged person, because of a lack of______________ and dehydration, will generally decompose at a much slower rate

A

Moisture

143
Q

A middle aged, so called healthy person with A high moisture content and a high quality of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract will usually decompose

A

Rapidly

144
Q

Certain diseases and conditions common to one sex or the other may have a marked influence on the rate of

A

Putrefaction

145
Q

A higher moisture content and greater amount of ____________ in the female usually brings on putrefaction at a much greater rate.

A

Subcutaneous fat

146
Q

Postpartum Hemorrhage, or______________ May also cause a rapid onset of putrefaction

A

Death in childbirth

147
Q

Obese people decompose more__________ than thin ones, largely because of the higher moisture content and the greater retention of body heat

A

Rapidly

148
Q

After death, ___________________ encouraged putrefaction

A

Postmortem caloricity

149
Q

Moisture is essential for

A

Bacterial growth

150
Q

Putrefaction is delayed when the tissues are

A

Dehydrated

151
Q

Optimum temperature for the growth of bacteria causing decomposition is

A

98.6

152
Q

A rapid onset of______________Will slow down the putrefactive process

A

Algor mortis

153
Q

If the amount of organisms accumulated with in the body at the time of death is high it will_________ The putrefactive process

A

Hasten

154
Q

A free access of air accelerates decomposition get for two reasons

A

1) additional airborne bacteria are carried to the body and could enter through various openings, wounds, etc.
2) Decay would be rapid because the organisms would be aerobic

155
Q

Caspers dictum

A

All things being equal, a body will decompose as much in one week lying on the ground as it would into weeks submerged in water, and as much as in eight weeks buried in the ground.

156
Q

Decay is accelerated when there is a free access to warm humid air or a high___________environment

A

Moisture

157
Q

One of the most important factors affecting bacterial growth

A

Temperature

158
Q

Temperatures for bacterial growth

A

Optimum: 98°F to 100°F or body temperature
Minimum: 32°F
Maximum: 120°F (which stops most decomposition)

159
Q

Order of decomposition of body compounds

A
  • carbohydrates
  • proteins
  • fats
  • firm protein – connective tissue
  • hard protein – cartilage
  • bone
160
Q

Order of decomposition of the organs

A
  • infantile brain
  • lining of the larynx and trachea
  • stomach
  • intestines
  • spleen
  • mesentery and omentum
  • liver
  • adult brain
  • Heart
  • lungs
  • kidneys
  • urinary bladder
  • esophagus
  • pancreas
  • diaphragm
  • blood vessels – (mostly large)
  • non-pregnant uterus
161
Q

Containing all of the blood elements in a homogenous mass. Bright red in color, similar to one taken from a living person

A

Rapidly forming clot

162
Q

Containing all of the blood elements but having red and white cells separated into distinct layers. Classified according to location

A

Slow forming clot

163
Q

Types of slow forming clots

A
  • vascular chicken fat clot

- cardiac chicken fat clot

164
Q

Synonymous with mummification; one of the basic necessities for bacterial growth, water, has been eliminated from the body.

A

Permanent preservation

165
Q

Environment for permanent preservation to take place

A

Hot dry desert or cold, mountainous regions with perma frost

166
Q

Characteristics of a wet or dry floater

A
  • adipose tissue formation
  • facial features swollen beyond recognition
  • intense odor of putrefaction
  • protruding eyes and tongue
  • massive skin slip (Desquamation)
  • blue-black streaked with red in color (marbleized)
  • purge from all orifices
  • hair, fingernails, and toe nails have dropped off or are loose
  • intense odor of ammonia
167
Q

Terms associated with decomposition

A
  • maceration
  • mummification
  • deamination
  • oxidative decarboxylation
  • saponification
168
Q

Moistening or softening of any tissue decomposing in a liquid medium. Ex: a fetus dies in the uterus and remains enclosed in the amniotic sac

A

Maceration

169
Q

Extreme or complete dehydration of body so as to form a dry, brown, hard structure which is light in weight and resistant to decomposition

A

Mummification

170
Q

Two-step reaction involving the removal of the amino groups from amino acids

A

Deamination

171
Q

With the help of oxygen, atoms of carbon and oxygen are pulled off the molecular structure. Reaction is associated with decay

A

Oxidative decarboxylation

172
Q

Any substance altering the velocity of a chemical change.

A

Catalyst

173
Q

The enzymes secreted by the tissue cells are called

A

Autolytic enzymes

174
Q

Chronological order of putrefaction at 70 degrees F in air

A
  • 1-3 days: cupping of the eyeball, greenish discoloration over the abdominal area, postmortem stain, dehydrated lips and eyelids
  • 3-5 days: purge, green discoloration spreading over whole body, visceral gas and some tissue gas, odor
  • 8-10 days: tissue gas present in all parts of the body, massive skin slip, body swollen, starting to turn dark
  • 14-20 days: bubbles and blisters over the body, mottled red, green and brown. Intense odor of putrefaction, nails and hair loose, eyes and tongue bulging, recognition of features difficult.
  • 1-6 months: thoracic and abdominal cavities may burst open, body liquification and gases escaping; feature recognition is impossible,bones separating from joints.
175
Q

Change in body pH

A
  1. 4-7.0–> 1st stage flaccidity
  2. 0-6.0 & 6.0-7.0–> stage of rigor
  3. 0-7.4—> 2nd stage flaccidity
176
Q

Most embalming fluids have a slightly _________pH

A

Alkaline

177
Q

A group of chemicals called ________ are used to control embalming fluid pH and tissue pH

A

Buffers

178
Q

The agent that results in coagulation of muscle joints in rigor mortis

A

Sarcolactic acid

179
Q

Formula for rigor mortis

A

In death, absence of oxygen will cause glycogen to form and release pyruvic acid, which will break down to form sarcolactic acid. Sarcolactic acid will combine with muscle juices causing rigor mortis

180
Q

Two definite and somewhat separate actions of sarcolactic acid in the muscle tissue

A
  • coagulates soluble muscle juices to form insoluble myosin

- causes a swelling of the muscle cell colloid which may be so great as to destroy the structure of the muscle cells.

181
Q

Minimum temperature for rigor mortis

A

32 degrees F

182
Q

Optimum temperature for rigor mortis

A

98-100 degrees F

183
Q

Maximum temperature for rigor mortis

A

120 degrees F

184
Q

The extent of physical activity before death will affect the production of

A

Sarcolactic acid

185
Q

Rigor mortis is ________ by heat and _______ by cold

A

Accelerated, retarded

186
Q

Will cause early onset of post mortem caloricity

A

Febrile disease

187
Q

Females go into rigor mortis _________ than males

A

Faster

188
Q

Conditions affecting onset, duration and temperature of rigor mortis

A

1) age
2) gender
3) cause and manner of death
4) condition of the muscles

189
Q

Characteristics of rigor mortis

A

1) shortened
2) stiffened
3) acid in reaction
4) loss of sensitivity to stimuli

190
Q

Detailed outline of influence of rigor mortis on embalming

A

A) the acidity of the tissue during rigor mortis retards bacterial growth
B) limits arterial fluid distribution because of the force of contraction exerted on vessel walls.
C) by giving a false impression of fluid reaction, the embalmer becomes confused as to whether the tissues are really firming or not
D) destroys the ability of tissue to coagulate on contact with HCHO. Also weakens fluid strength when acid unites with HCHO
E) distortion of facial features, hands and arms if rigor mortis is not relieved immediately. ( remains will swell during injection)

190
Q

Between death and putrefaction, the muscle tissue of the body will pass through three distinct stages of rigor mortis:

A

1) primary flaccidity
2) the stage of rigidity
3) secondary flaccidity

191
Q

Primary flaccidity

A
  • muscles are soft and relaxed and will still react to stimuli
  • as cellular death increases, muscles will become rigid
  • pH goes from alkaline to neutral to slightly acidic
192
Q

The stage of rigidity ( rigor mortis)

A
  • cells are all dead
  • muscles no longer react to stimuli
  • muscles and joints are firmly contracted and rigid
  • pH goes from mildly acid to strongly acid to mildly acid
193
Q

Secondary flaccidity

A
  • after a variable period of time, rigidity disappears
  • muscles are again in a state of relaxation
  • all power of contraction is lost forever
  • pH goes from mildly acid, to neutral, to alkaline, to strongly alkaline
194
Q

Maximum rigidity

A

6.5 pH

195
Q

Bacterial decomposition will be retarded in _____________ because bacteria will not grow in an acid medium.

A

Stage 2 (rigor mortis)

196
Q

The best embalming results will occur during

A

The early stage of primary flaccidity

197
Q

Arterial fluid mixed with water in the embalming machine

A

Primary dilution

198
Q

Arterial fluid solution uniting with bodily fluids and tissues in the body

A

Secondary dilution

199
Q

Conditions often mistaken for rigor mortis

A
  • catalepsy
  • cold stiffening
  • heat stiffening
200
Q

When exposed to temperatures near or below freezing, the body tissues become firm and rigid. Extreme coldness of the body indicates the cause of rigidity

A

Cold stiffening

201
Q

There is a more or less permanent coagulation and stiffening as a result of exposure to very high temperatures, as in burning or scalding. Will persist until the muscles undergo softening during putrefaction.

A

Heat stiffening

202
Q

Prolongation of the last violent contraction of the muscles into the rigidity of death. It will disappear naturally as does rigor mortis over a period of time.

A

Cadaveric spasm aka instantaneous rigor mortis

203
Q

Examples of cadaveric spasm

A
  • soldier killed in combat–grasping rifle
  • automobile accident–clutching steering wheel
  • suicide– clutching pistol
  • murder– victim aware-fear
  • drowning–clutching grass, weeds
  • falling off cliff–clutching for branches
  • sports
  • downhill skiing accident–clutching poles
204
Q

Associated with cadaveric spasm, over production of sarcolactic acid under duress.

A

Death grip

205
Q

Order of what happens to the blood after death

A

1) hypostasis
2) Livor mortis
3) hemolysis
4) postmortem stain

206
Q

__________will always occur before hemolysis

A

Hypostasis

207
Q

Will occur when formalin solutions contact trapped heme in surface tissues during postmortem stain.

A

Formaldehyde grey

208
Q

Carbon monoxide poisoning is both __________ and _________

A

Antemortem and postmortem

209
Q

Will cause hemolysis to occur at a much faster rate, resulting in cherry red color to surface tissue

A

Carbon monoxide poisoning

210
Q

Postmortem caloricity will always occur before ____________

A

Algor mortis

211
Q

Putrefaction is more rapid in _________than in salt water

A

Fresh water

212
Q

Putrefaction is more rapid in ___________water than in running water

A

Stagnant

213
Q

Factors governing the rate of putrefaction in water

A

1) temperature
2) nature of the medium
3) movement of fluid

Embalming (7 decks)

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