Vocabulary D-L Flashcards
Death
Irreversible cessation of all vital functions
Death Rattle
Noise made by a moribund person caused by air passing through a residue of mucous in the trachea and posterior oral cavity
Death Struggle
Semi-convulsive twitches that often occur before death
Decay
Decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria
Decedent Care Report
(Don’t Need for the Test)
Documentation of body conditions and subsequent treatments when sheltering, or preparing a body for visual identification prior to cremation; or for a body received from another facility
Decomposition
Separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes
Dehydration
Loss of moisture from body tissue, which may occur antemortem or postmortem; the removal of water from a substance
Desiccation
(On the test)
Extreme dehydration often resulting in post embalming discolorations
Desquamation / Skin Slip
Separation of the epidermis from the underlying dermis
Dialysis
Separation of substances in solution on the basis of differences in their ability to pass through a semipermeable membrane
Differential Pressure
Difference between potential and actual pressure
Discoloration
Any abnormal color in or upon the human body
Disinfectant
An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects/surfaces to destroy most disease-causing microbial agents, excluding bacterial spores
Disinfection
Destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body
Drain Tube
Drainage instrument used to aid in the removal of venous blood
Drainage
Removal of blood, blood clots, interstitial and lymphatic fluid, and arterial solution during vascular embalming, usually through a vein
Drench Shower
OSHA required safety device for a release of a copious amount of water in a short time
Dry Gangrene (Ischemic Necrosis)
necrosis resulting from localized deprivation of arterial blood supply
Ecchymosis
(Not on the test)
Bruising discoloration of the skin caused by the escape of blood into extravascular tissues
Edema
Abdominal accumulation of fluids in tissues or body cavities
Electric Aspirator
Device that uses a motor to create a suction for the purpose of aspiration
Electric Spatula (Tissue Reducer)
Electrically heated blade which may be used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue, and restore contour
Embalming
Process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganism, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and restore an acceptable physical appearance
Engineering Controls
Mechanical systems and devices of a facility designed to minimize exposure to occupational hazards
Excision
To remove as by cutting out; the area from which tissue has been removed
Exposure Incident
Specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee’s duties
Exsanguination
Loss of blood to the point where life can no longer be sustained
Extrinsic
from outside the body
Extravascular
Outside the blood vascular system
Eye Cap
A thin, dome-like plastic shell placed beneath eyelids to restore nature curvature and to maintain the position of posed eyelids
Eye Enucleation
Removal of the eye tissue for transplantation, research and education
Eyewash Station
OSHA required emergency safety device providing a steady stream of water for flushing the eye
Febrile
(Not on the test)
Characterized by a high fever, causing dehydration of the body
Fermentation
The microbial (enzymatic) decomposition of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions
Fever Blister
Lesson of the mucous membrane of the lip or mouth
Firming
Rigidity of tissue due to chemical reaction
Fixation
Act of making tissue rigid as a result of protein solidification
Formaldehyde Demand
amount of formaldehyde required to effectively preserve remains
Formaldehyde (HCHO)
Colorless, strong-smelling gas that when used in solution is a powerful preservative and disinfectant; a known carcinogen
Formaldehyde Gray
Grey discoloration of the body caused by the reaction of formaldehyde with hemoglobin to form methyl hemoglobin
Formaldehyde Standard
OSHA regulation limiting the amount of occupational exposure to formaldehyde
Gangrene
Death of body tissues due to deficient or absent blood supply
Gas Gangrene
Antemortem form of gangrene, associated with anaerobic gas forming bacilli, most commonly, Clostridium perfringens
Gravity Filtration
Extravascular settling of preservative fluids by gravitational force to the dependent areas of the body
Gravity Injector
Apparatus used to inject arterial fluid; relies on gravity to create the pressure required to deliver the fluid
Groove Director
Instrument used to guide drainage devices into veins
Hand Pump
Historical instrument resembling a large hypodermic syringe attached to a bottle apparatus; used to create either pressure for injection or vacuum for aspiration
Hardening Compound
Chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb moisture and/or preserve tissue; used in cavity treatment of autopsied cases
Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA regulation that deals with identifying and limiting exposure to hazardous chemicals within the workplace
Hazardous Material
Agent exposing one to risk
Hematoma
Tumor like swelling of blood
Heme
The red pigment of the hemoglobin
Hemoglobin
Iron-containing protein of red blood cells functioning to carry oxygen to the cells
Hemolysis
Destruction of red blood cells that releases heme
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Infectious bloodborne virus
High-Index Fluid
Special arterial fluid with a high formaldehyde content
Human Remains
Body of a deceased person, can include cremated remains
Humectant (Restorative Fluid)
Chemical that increases the capability of tissue to retain moisture
Hydroaspirator
Apparatus that utilizes a water supply to create suction and is used to aspirate the contents of the body’s cavities
Hydrocele
Abnormal accumulation of fluids in the scrotal sac
Hydrocephalus
Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain
Hydrolysis
Decomposition with water as one of the reactants
Hydrothorax
abdominal accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity
Hydropericardium
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity
Hypertonic
Solution having greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared
Hygroscopic
(Not on the test)
readily absorbing moisture
Hypodermic Injection
Injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues through the used of a syringe and needle or a trocar
Hypostasis
Process of blood and/or other fluids settling to the dependent portions of the body that can occur in the antemortem, agonal, or postmortem period.
Hypotonic
Solution having a lesser concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared
Imbibition
(Not on the test)
Swelling and softening of tissues and organs as a result of absorbing moisture from adjacent sources
Inactive Dye
Agent that will not impart color to tissues; generally used to impart color to a chemical
Incision
A clean cut into tissue or skin made with a scalpel to access arteries and veins
Index
Strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of solution; usually refers to a percentage
Infant
A child less than one year of age
Inguinal Ligament
Anatomical structure forming the base of the femoral triangle; extends from the anterior superior iliac spine to the public tubercle
Injection
Act or instance of forcing a fluid into the vascular system or directly into tissues
Injection Pressure
Amount of pressure, produced by an injection device to overcome initial intravascular and/or extravascular resistance on or with the vascular system
Intercostal Space
Space between the ribs
Intermittent Drainage (Restricted Drainage)
Method of drainage in which the drainage is stopped at intervals while the injection continues
Interstitial Fluid
(Not on the test)
Substance in the supporting connective tissues surrounding body cells
Intravascular
Within the blood vascular system
Intravascular Pressure
Force created as the flow of embalming solution is established and the arterial walls expand and contract, resulting in filling of the capillary beds and development of pressure filtraiton
Intrinsic
From within the body
Isotonic
Solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute as the solution to which it is compared
Jaundice
Condition characterized by excessive concentrations of bilirubin in the skin and tissues, cornea, body fluids, and mucous membranes with a resulting yellow appearance
Jaundice Fluid
Arterial fluid with bleach and coloring qualities for use on bodies with jaundice
Laceration
Wound characterized by irregular tearing of tissue
Lesion
Abnormal change involving any tissue or organ due to disease or injury
Ligate
To tie off vessel or structure upon completion of embalming
Linear Guide
Line drawn or visualized on the surface of the skin to represent the approximate location of some deeper-lying structure
Lumen
Cavity or opening of a hollow structure
Lypolysis
Decomposition of fats
Lysin
hydrolytic enzyme that acts destructively upon cells and tissues
Lysosome
Organelle within but separate from a cell containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down proteins and certain carbohydrates
