Embalming I Midterm Review

Arterial (Vascular) embalming

The use of the blood vascular system of the body for temporary preservation, disinfection, and restoration; accomplished through injection of embalming solutions into the arteries and drainage from the veins.

Aspiration

The removal of gas, fluids, and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by means of suction with an aspirator and a trocar.

Autolysis

The self-destruction of cells; the decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance.

Autolytic enzyme

The body's own digestive enzymes that are capable of destroying body cells.

Cavity embalming

Direct treatment of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and then injection of chemicals using a trocar.

Concurrent disinfection

Disinfection carried out during the embalming process.

Coroner

Elected or appointed public official of a local community who may or may not have medical training and holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths.

Decay

Decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria.

Decomposition

Separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes.

Disinfection

The destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body.

Embalming

Process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, temporarily inhibitorganic decomposition, and restore an acceptable physical appearance.

Embalming (Decedent care) report

A detailed listing of body conditions and treatments performed by funeral personnel for all bodies received into a facility for preparation.

Enzyme

An organic catalyst produced by living cells and capable of autolytic decomposition.

Hypodermic injection

Injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or a trocar.

Medical examiner

Elected or appointed official of a local community, with a medical degree, who holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths.

Microbial enzyme

The enzymes of microorganisms; a source of the enzymes that contribute to decomposition.

Preparation room

Area or facility wherein embalming, dressing, cosmetizing, or general decedent care is performed.

Primary disinfection

Disinfection carried out prior to the embalming process.

Protein

Organic compound found in plants and animals; biochemical compound that is a polymer of many amino acids.

Putrefaction

Decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria.

Restoration

Treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color.

Surface embalming

The direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals.

Terminal disinfection

Disinfection procedures carried out after the embalming process (e.g. disinfecting instruments, work area, etc.)

Topical disinfection

Disinfection of the surface of the body or an object.

Action level/AL

Concentration of 0.5 ppm of formaldehyde calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentration, as defined by OSHA.

Biohazard

Biological agent or situation that constitutes a hazard to humans.

Biohazardous waste

Any potentially infective, contaminated waste that constitutes a hazard to humans in the workplace.

Bloodborne pathogen

Any microorganism present in human blood that can cause disease in humans.

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.1030) regulating the employee's exposure to blood and other body fluids.

Carcinogen

A cancer-causing chemical or material.

Communicable disease

Disease that may be transmitted either directly or indirectly between individuals by an infectious agent.

Contaminated laundry

Laundry which has been solid with blood or other potentially infectious materials or may contain sharps.

Contaminated sharps

Any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass, and exposed ends of wires.

Drench shower

OSHA-required safety device for a release of a copious amount of water in a short time.

Engineering controls

Mechanical systems and devices of a facility designed to minimize exposure to occupational hazards (e.g. ventilation system.)

Exposure incident

Specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that results from the performance of an employee's duties.

Eyewash station

OSHA-required emergency safety device providing a steady stream of water for flushing the eye.

Formaldehyde Standard

OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.1048) limiting the amount of occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.1200) that deals with identifying and limiting occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Hazardous material

An agent or material exposing one to risk.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

An infectious bloodborne virus that usually attacks the liver.

Occupational exposure

Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral, contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.

Parenteral

Referring to a needlestick injury.

Sharps container

OSHA-required, puncture-resistant, leak-proof receptacle for proper disposal of sharp objects.

Universal precautions

An approach to infection control in which all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious.

Work practice controls

Procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure to a hazard by altering the manner in which a task is performed.

Actual pressure

The pressure indicated by the injector gauge needle when the arterial tube is OPEN and the arterial solution is flowing into the body.

Aneurysm hook

An embalming instrument used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels.

Aneurysm needle

An embalming instrument used for blunt dissection and raising vessels with an eye in the hook portion of the instrument for placing ligatures around raised vessels.

Angular spring forceps (Drainage forceps)

Drainage instrument designed for the removal of venous blood clots by grasping the clots and pulling them from the vein.

Arterial tube (Cannula)

Instrument used to inject arterial solution into the vascular system.

Autoclave

Apparatus used for sterilization by steam pressure.

Bulb syringe

A self-contained manual pump made of soft rubber designed to create pressure to deliver fluid as it passes through one-way valves located within the bulb.

Calvarium clamp

A device used to reattach the calvarium to the cranium after a cranial autopsy.

Centrifugal force machine

Embalming machine that uses an electrical pump to create pulsating or non-pulsating pressure.

Differential pressure

The difference between potential and actual pressure.

Drain tube

Tubular instrument with a plunger inserted into a vein to aid in the removal of venous blood.

Drainage

Removal of blood, blood clots, interstitial and lymphatic fluid, and arterial solution from the body during vascular embalming; usually through a vein.

Electric aspirator

A device that uses a motor to create suction for the purpose of aspiration.

Electric spatula (Tissue reducer)

An electrically-heated blade used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue, and restore contour to natural form.

Eyecap

A thin, dome-like plastic shell placed beneath the eyelids to restore natural curvature and to maintain the position of posed eyelids.

Gravity injector

Apparatus used to inject arterial fluid; relies on gravity to create the pressure required to deliver the fluid.

Groove director

Instrument used to guide drainage devices into veins.

Hand pump

Historical instrument resembling a large hypodermic syringe attached to a bottle apparatus; creates pressure for injection or vacuum for aspiration.

Hydroaspirator

Apparatus that utilizes a water supply to create suction and is used to aspirate the contents of the body's cavities.

Mortuary putty

Pliable compound to fix or fill.

Mouth former

A feature-setting device placed in the mouth to provide shape and contour to the lips.

Nasal tube aspirator

Instrument used to aspirate the throat by means of the nostrils.

Needle injector

A feature-setting device used for mouth closure designed to implant metal pins (with wire attached to each pin) into bone; mainly used on the maxillae and mandible bones).

Plastic garments

Used to contain leakage and manage odors; different types include pants, coveralls, stockings, sleeves, Capri pants, and unionalls.

Positioning device

Equipment used to position the body before, during, and after decedent care.

Potential pressure

The pressure indicated by the injector gauge needle when the embalming machine is running and the rate of flow is CLOSED.

Preparation room

Area or facility wherein embalming, dressing, cosmetizing, or general decedent care is performed.

Rate of flow

Speed at which fluid/solution is injected; measured in ounces-per-minute.

Scalpel

An instrument used to make incisions and excisions.

Trocar

Sharply-pointed aspirating instrument used in cavity embalming to remove gases, liquids, and semi-solids from the body cavities and hollow organs and to inject cavity fluid.

Trocar button

A plastic, threaded screw-like device for sealing punctures and small, round trocar openings.

Alcohol

An organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The general formula is R-OH, where R is a hydrocarbon group.

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups. The general formula is R-CHO where R is a hydrocarbon group or hydrogen.

Amino acid

The building blocks of proteins; a compound containing an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl (-COOH) group, and a radical.

Amphoteric

Any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in aqueous solution.

Aqueous solution

A solution in which water is the solvent.

Biochemistry

That branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms.

Bilirubin

A pigment produced by the liver that is excreted in bile which causes a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes when it accumulates in those organs; yellow, brown, or orange pigment in bile.

Biliverdin

A green pigment that can occur in bile; often a result of an oxidation reaction between formaldehyde and bilirubin; can create a permanent green discoloration in the skin.

Chemistry

The branch of natural science that is concerned with the description and classification of matter, with the changes which matter undergoes, and with the energy associated with each of these changes.

Colloidal solution

A solution-like system in which the size of the solute particle is between 1 and 100 nanometers; particles of solute (colloid) pass through filters but NOT membranes.

Compound

A substance consisting of two or more elements combined chemically in definite proportion by mass.

Concentrated solution

A solution containing a relatively large amount of solute.

Concentration

The ratio of the mass or volume of a solute to the mass or volume of the solution or solvent.

Crystalloidal solution

A solution-like system in which the size of the solute particle is less than 1 nanometer; a true solution containing a solute (crystalloid) that can pass through filters AND membranes.

Denaturation

The disruption and breakdown of the secondary structure of a protein by heat or chemicals.

Dialdehyde

An organic compound containing two aldehyde (-CHO) radicals.

Dialysis

Separation of substances in a solution on the basis of their ability to pass through a semipermeable membrane.

Diffusion (chemistry)

The movement of molecules or other particles in solution from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration until uniform concentration is reached;  for embalming definition.

Dilute solution

A solution containing a relatively small amount of solute.

Embalming chemistry

The study of chemical post-mortem changes, the composition of embalming fluids, and the interactions between each.

Enzyme

An organic catalyst produced by living cells and capable of autolytic decomposition.

Formaldehyde

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

Formalin

A saturated solution of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume.