Vocabulary for Exam 3 Flashcards by Heather Clark

A condition resulting from the use of an embalming solution containing an insufficient amount of preservative to meet the preservative demand of the tissue; the interstitial spaces are overly filled, engorged with water.

Water Logging

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Preservation of the body’s surface (to dry and harden lesions), of excisions and cavities, or of areas that received inadequate arterial preservative. Materials used in this kind of embalming include surface packs, embalming powders, and autopsy gels.

Osmotic Embalming (Surface Embalming)

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Intravascular blood discoloration that occurs when arterial solution enters an area (such as the face), but due to blockage, blood and embalming solution are unable to drain from the area.

Flush (Flushing)

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Colorless, strong-smelling gas that when used in solution is a powerful preservative and disinfectant, a potential occupational carcinogen.

Formaldehyde (HCHO, CH2O)

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A solution having lesser concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared.

Hypotonic Solution

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A process in which a gaseous agent is used to destroy rodents or insects, which act as disease carriers.

Fumigation

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Ingredient of embalming fluids that retards the natural postmortem tendency of blood to become more viscous or prevents adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals.

Anticoagulant Fluid

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An agent employed in the preparation of tissues for the purpose of maintaining the existing form of the structure. Many agents are used, the most important one being formalin.

Fixative

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A common dye which is used to test for blood circulation.

Fluorescein

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Quality of water containing certain substances, especially soluble salts of calcium and magnesium.

Water Hardness

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Embalming fluid that contains dyes and coloring agents intended to restore a more natural skin tone through the embalming process.

Cosmetic Fluid

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Chemical in powder form; typically used for surface embalming of the remains.

Preservative Powder

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Substances that bind metallic ions such as EDTA (Ethylenediamine-tetraceticacid). Used as an anticoagulant in embalming solutions.

Chelate

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The movement of the arterial solution through the capillaries into the intercellular spaces, from an intravascular to an extravascular position.

Fluid Diffusion

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Chemicals having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one.

Deodorant (Masking Agent, Perfuming Agent)

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Degree of acidity or alkalinity. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, 0 being completely acid, 14 completely basic, and 7 neutral. The ___ of blood is 7.35-7.45.

pH (Potential of Hydrogen)

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A carcinogen potentially produced when formaldehyde and sodium hypochlorite come into contact with each other; normally occurs only in a controlled laboratory setting and requires a catalyst.

Bischloromethyl Either (BCME)

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A general term. The solidification of a solid into a gelatinous mass. Agglutination is a specific form of coagulation.

Tissue Coagulation

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As related to decomposition the conversion of fatty tissues of the body into a soapy waxy substance called adipocere or grave wax.

Process of Soap Formation (Saponification)

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Injection that results in the distribution of embalming fluid primarily to the body surface, with little preservation and disinfection of deeper tissues.

Shell Embalming

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A chemical agent that can “fence off” or “tie up” metal ions so they cannot react with other chemicals.

Sequestering Agent

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The injection of a specialized chemical prior to the injection of a routine arterial chemical.

Preinjection

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Drug-induced edema wherein the excess fluid is located within the cell. Upon palpation, there is no noticeable depression.

Solid Edema (Cellular Edema)

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Rigidity of tissue due to chemical reaction.

Firming

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Cloth, wet or dry, folded and applied firmly to a body part.

Surface Compress

A type of arterial fluid which contains inactive dyes that will not impart a color change upon the body tissues of the deceased.

Non-Cosmetic Fluid (Passive Dye)

A solution having greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared.

Hypertonic Solution

The strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100ml of water. Usually refers to a percentage; an embalming fluid with 25 contans 25% formaldehyde.

Index

A solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute to that of a standard of reference.

Isotonic Solution

The process of taking in, as in a colored object which absorbs certain rays of light and reflects other rays giving the object its recognizable color. (An apple is called red if the red rays are reflected and the other rays in the light are _____).

Absorption

Group of chemicals used in addition to vascular (arterial) and Cavity embalming fluids, includes but is not limited to hardening compounds, preservative powders, sealing agents, mold preventative agents, and pack application agents.

Accessory Chemicals

A chemical which lightens or blanches skin discolorations.

Bleaching Agent

A fluid used primarily to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) solutions.

Coinjection Fluid

Those agents which will prohibit the growth of mold.

Mold Preventative

Chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb and to disinfect. Often used in cavity treatment of autopsied bodies.

Hardening Compound

Pure or drinkable water. Non-____ ____ is contaminated or undrinkable water.

Potable Water

Preparation room equipment which is a complete water system containing a hydroaspirator, water outlet, gooseneck filler for the embalming machine and a snap on hose.

Water Control Unit

Injection of an arterial solution composed of a preservative embalming fluid which is diluted with supplemental chemicals such as humectants, water conditioners, and co-injections.

Waterless Embalming

The act of making a tissue rigid. The solidification of a compound.

Fixation

Chemicals added to the embalming solution to deal with varying demands predicted upon the embalming, the fluid to be used, and the environment.

Modifying Agents

Embalming where an absorbent material is saturated with an embalming chemical and placed in direct contact with the tissue.

Embalming Pack

A mixture of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water with 40% by volume, 37% by weight and contains 7% methyl alcohol to prevent polymerization.

Formalin

Dehydration caused by using too harsh of an arterial solution to embalm a dead human body.

Chemical Evaporation

Substances which temporarily or permanently inhibits an enzyme's action.

Paralyzer (Inactivator)

A liquid holding another substance in solution.

Solvent

The resistance to the flow of a liquid; the thickness of a liquid.

Viscosity

A substance bringing about precipitation. The oxalates formerly used in water conditioning are now illegal because of the poisonous nature to the embalmer.

Precipitant

Absorbing moisture readily.

Hygroscopic

Chemical that reduces the molecular cohesion of a liquid so it can flow through smaller apertures.

Surfactant (Surface Tension Reducer, Wetting, Penetrating, or Surface-Active Agent)

An agent used to remove chemical constituents from municipal water supplies that could interfere with drainage and preservation.

Water Conditioner

Substance used to kill insect larvae.

Larvicide

Chemical and physical agents that bring about coagulation.

Coagulating Agent

A chemical which affects the stabilization of the acid-base (pH) balance within embalming solutions and in the embalmed tissues.

Buffers

The movement of arterial solution from the point of injection through the blood vascular system.

Fluid Distribution

Embalming chemicals which are injected into the cavities of the body following the aspiration in cavity embalming. Can also be used as the chemical in hypodermic and surface embalming.

Cavity Fluid

Injection of very strong arterial fluid (often waterless) under relatively high pressure into the head and face through both common carotid arteries to effect preservation and disinfection while minimizing swelling.

Instant Tissue Fixation (Head Freeze)

Special vascular (arterial) fluid with a high HCHO content.

High Preservative Demand Fluids

A non-toxic disinfectant suitable for the use on animal tissue.

Antiseptic

That amount of formaldehyde necessary to overcome any nitrogen residue and cause the body proteins to become coagulated. Amount of preservative (formaldehyde) required to effectively preserve remains depends on the condition of the tissues as determined in the embalming analysis.

Formaldehyde Demand (Preservative Demand)

Removal of particles (liquid or solid) from a solution as it passes through a membrane or other partial barrier.

Filtration

Fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection.

Supplemental Fluid

Embalming chemical in powder form; typically used for surface treatment of the remains.

Embalming Powder

The injection of a specialized chemical in conjunction with the routine arterial chemical.

Coinjection

A special vascular fluid with special bleaching and coloring qualities of use on bodies with jaundice; usually low formaldehyde content.

Jaundice Fluids (Icterus Fluids)

Liquids that serve as a solvent for the numerous ingredients that are incorporated into embalming fluids.

Vehicle (Vector, Diluent, Carrier)

Material used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood.

Sealing Agent

An absorbent material, compress, saturated with an embalming chemical and placed in direct contact with the tissue.

Surface Pack

A supplemental piece of equipment attached to the embalming machine which measures the flow of fluids in both gallons per hour and ounces per minute.

Flow Meter

A cosmetic medium able to cover or hide skin discolorations.

Opaque Cosmetic

The mixture of arterial (vascular) fluid and water which is used for the arterial injection and may include supplemental fluids.

Arterial Solution

Liquids or gels, usually available in spray or pack form, which are generally used in cases of skin slip, ulcerations and other surface involvements.

Pack Application (Surface Application)

Dye that helps to cover internal discolorations such as jaundice.

Counter Staining Compound

Dyes which aid in restoring a life-like surface pigmentation to a body and also stain the body tissue cells.

Active Dyes (Staining Dyes, Cosmetic Dyes)

Substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definite color to the embalming solution. Classified as to their capacity to permanently impart color to the tissue of the body into which they are injected.

Dye (Coloring Agent)

Substance that easily loses electrons and thereby causes other substances to be reduced; formaldehyde is a strong one of these.

Reducing Agent

Chemicals which inactivate saprophytic bacteria, render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon decomposition which such bacteria thrive, and which will arrest by altering enzymes and lysins of the body as well as converting the decomposable tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition.

Preservative (Fixers)

Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular (arterial) solution. The solution is injected before the preservative vascular solution is injected.

Preinjection Fluid (Primary Injection Fluid)

Liquid containing dissolved substance.

Solution

Chemical that increases the ability of embalmed tissue to retain moisture and retard dehydration. (Supplemental fluid).

Humectant (Restorative Fluid)

Embalming fluids with a high formaldehyde content used on extremely difficult cases in which the embalmer may encounter or on cases in which the embalmer desires a great degree of rigidity. Generally 30-36+ index.

High Index Arterial Fluids

Type of sealing compounds used to brush over incisions, cavities, raw surfaces and areas where any pinpoint leakage may occur.

Liquid Adhesives (Collodions, Solutions)

Grey discoloration of the body caused by the reaction of formaldehyde from the embalming process with hemoglobin to form methyl hemoglobin.

Formaldehyde Grey

Chemical agents capable of destroying and/or inhibiting the growth of saprophytic or pathogenic fungi, including molds.

Fungicides

The substance that is dissolved in a solution.

Solute

Those sealing compounds which are used within vascular incisions, wounds, ulcerations, or other moist areas of the body.

Powders

Combination of iodine and a solubilizing agent or carrier that liberates free iodine in solution; a chemical disinfectant.

Iodophor

A compound of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen, sugars, starches and glycogen.

Carbohydrates

The concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that will be diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming. The purpose is for inactivating saprophytic bacteria and rendering the body tissues less susceptible to decomposition.

Arterial (Vascular) Fluid

An amorphous, nonvolatile solid or soft side substance, a natural exudation from plants any of a class of solid or soft organic compounds of natural or synthetic origin.

Resinous Substance