Embalming 1

Em

in, or about

balm

resinous substance, balsamic agents

Non legal definition of embalming

process of chemically treating the dead body

Embalming reduces:

presence and growth of microorganisms

Embalming retards:

organic decomposition

embalming restores:

acceptable physical appearance

three goals of embalming

disinfection, temporary preservation, restoration

Temporary preservation

alters body proteins, neutralizes enzymes

Vascular embalming

using vascular system to introduce embalming solution into body (best type of embalming)

Surface embalming

direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals

Hypodermic embalming

direct injection of embalming chemicals into tissues

cavity embalming

treatment of contents of body cavities and hollow viscera

3 stages of vascular embalming

distribution, diffusion, drainage

Distribution

movement of embalming solution from point of injection, through arterial system, to capillaries

Diffusion

passage of component of embalming solution from an intravascular to an extravascular location/across cellular membranes

Drainage

discharge or withdrawal of blood, interstitial fluid and embalming fluids from body

Properties of Formaldehyde

• Colorless gas

• heavier than air

• irritating odor

• highly dehydrating

• soluble in water

• highly reactive

• excellent germicide

• strong reducing agent

index

• grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100ml of solution

• percentage of formaldehyde in fluid/solution

formalin

saturated formaldehyde solution

formalin hohc