Postmortem Changes

postmortem changes are the result of

autolysis

antemortem changes occur

prior to death

what is autolysis

decomposition of cells

cooling of the carcass will

slow autolysis, DONT FREEZE

what variables will change post mortem decomposition

tissue

type of animal

cause of death

environment temp

body temp

microbial flora

can postmortem lesions mask antemortem lesions

yes!!

liver mortis tells you

what side the animal died on

what is liver mortis

gravitational pooling of blood after death that results in discoloration of the tissues

what is the discoloration of the pig skin an example of **

liver mortis

what is hemosidirin

iron containing deposits in intestinal villi

what is being shown**

hemosidirin

what is bile imbibition

yellow stain from bile that leaked out

what is being shown**

bile imbibition

what is hemoglobin imbibition

breakdown of RBCs and hemoglobin release and staining of tissues

what is being shown**

hemoglobin imbibition

did this prolapse happen ante or post mortem**

antemortem due to red/purple color

is this a real lesion or not**

no! this is hypostatic congestion (postmortem change)