Vocabulary
Algor Mortis
The cooling of the body that follows death; the body temperature falls to room temperature (about 70F) at about 1.5F per hour.
Autopsy
An autopsy is a systematic external and internal examination of a dead body to determine if any abnormalities are present. Also called necropsy, postmortem, or postmortem examination.
Chest Plate
The portion of the chest wall that is removed during an autopsy in order to gain access to the heart and lungs. The chest plate is composed of the sternum and part of the ribs.
Coroner
An elected public officer who may or may not be a physician and whose primary function is to investigate any death thought to be of unnatural causes.
Decomposition
The breakdown or decay of organic matter.
Death Certificate
A legal paper, usually signed by the physician attending to the patient at time of death, that verifies the name of the deceased, lists the cause of death, and classifies the manner of death as natural, accident, suicide, homicide or undetermined.
Forensic Autopsy
An autopsy authorized by a coroner or medical examiner, done in cases of sudden or unexpected deaths. No family permission is required for a forensic autopsy.
Forensic Science
The use of science in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law.
Formalin
A 37% solution of formaldehyde in water which is used as fixative agent to preserve tissue.
Gross
Visible without the aid of a microscope; macroscopic.
Histology
The microscopic examination of tissue samples taken during the autopsy.
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
Hypostasis
The settling of blood in the lower part of an organ or the body as a result of decreased or stopped blood flow.
Infarction
Tissue death within an organ, caused by blockage of the blood flow and oxygen to that tissue.
Intermastoid Incision
An incision made from behind each ear across the top of the head, which permits examination of the brain.
Livor Mortis
The hypostasis or pooling of the blood following death that causes a purplish-red discoloration of the skin.
Medical Autopsy
An autopsy conducted in a hospital, either for educational purposes or for a clearer explanation of the cause of death of a hospital patient. Medical autopsies require the permission of the next of kin.
Medical Examiner
A physician officially authorized by a governmental unit to ascertain causes of deaths, especially those not occurring under natural circumstances.
Morgue
A place in which the bodies of dead people are kept until identified and claimed, held for autopsy, or until arrangements for burial have been made.
Pathologist
A doctor who is qualified in the study of anatomy and diseases. Pathologists are in charge of performing autopsies and may also work in a laboratory, running and interpreting results from diagnostic tests on tissue samples from living or deceased patients.
Petechiae
Pinpoint hemorrhages that appear in epithelial surfaces caused by injury or disease. Petechiae occurring in the eyes and eyelids may indicate asphyxia, strangulation, or hanging.
Prosector
The person performing an autopsy. This is sometimes a physician but may also be a technician or a student in training.
Rigor Mortis
The hardening of muscle cells that begins shortly after death and causes board-like stiffness in about 12 hours, lasts about 12 hours, and then disappears in about 12 hours, depending on temperature and various other conditions.
Rokitansky Method
The method of autopsy developed by Karl Rokitnasky that involves the removal of the body organs all at once. The heart, liver, kidneys, urinary bladder, prostate gland, etc. are removed in one block, separated, and then each organ is dissected.
Stryker Saw
A saw with a vibrating blade that is used during autopsy. It is able to cut through bone without damaging any surrounding soft tissue.
Toe Tag
A piece of paper or plastic with the patient’s name or case number on it. Used in identifying deceased individuals.
Toxicology
The study of the nature, effects, and detection of chemicals (poisons or drugs) in organisms.
Virchow Method
The method of autopsy developed by Rudolph Virchow in which each organ is removed from the body separately. Each organ is taken out of the body individually and examined one at a time.
Vitreous Humor
The liquid portion of the eye. Toxicologists often analyze the chemical components of the vitreous humor, since chemicals and drugs take longer to enter and leave the vitreous humor than the bloodstream.
Y-Incision
A y-shaped incision made from the chest to the abdomen, which permits the examination of the heart and lungs and all abdominal organs.