Postmortem Toxicology

Flashcards focused on vocabulary related to Postmortem Toxicology.

Toxicology

The study of the effects of substances on living organisms.

Postmortem Toxicology

Analysis of biological samples after death to determine substances present.

Branches of Toxicology

Various types of toxicology including analytical, applied, clinical, forensic, environmental, reproductive and developmental, and immuno-toxicology.

Xenobiotic

Substances that are foreign to the body.

Drug

A compound that causes a physiological effect.

Poison

A substance that, when ingested, results in a toxic or damaging physiological response.

Marsh Test

A test for detecting arsenic that involves a chemical reaction to produce arsine gas.

First Pass Effect

The hepatic metabolism of a drug when absorbed from the gut and delivered to the liver, reducing its bioavailability.

ADME

Acronym for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of drugs in the body.

Dose

The amount of a substance taken that can be therapeutic or toxic.

Curtailment of Toxicity Factors

Factors contributing to the toxicity of a substance include mode of ingestion and individual metabolism.

Degree of toxicity

Determined by factors such as biological effects, mode of ingestion, and body weight.

Carfentanil

A potent synthetic opioid where just a few micrograms can be deadly.

Opiates

Natural derivatives from the opium plant that can cause physiological effects, with potential for overdose.

Fentanyl

A synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than heroin and is involved in rising overdose rates.

Body Fluids For Toxicology

Common specimens for toxicological analysis include blood, urine, liver, and vitreous humor.