Embalming Theory (midterm)

Potential Pressure

pressure reading on the gauge of the centrifugal machine when arterial tubing is shut

Differential Pressure

the difference between the potential pressure and actual pressure

Actual Pressure

reading on gauge of centrifugal machine when rate of flow valve is open

Bistoury Knife

curved cutting instrument designed for blunt dissection

Hemostat

locking forceps used to clamp vessels

Separator

keeps vessels elevated above the incision

Loopuypt Suture Needle

angled grip for secure handling

Spring Forceps (tweezers)

instrument used for grasping and holding tissues

Angular Spring Forceps

“drainage forceps”

Retractors

used for grasping, retaining, and holding back tissues

Ligature

surgical thread

Rate of Flow

amount of embalming solution that enters the body in a given period

Stopcock

attaches to the delivery hose and arterial tube attaches to it, starts and stops the flow of fluid

Y-Tube

allows for injection of four arteries simulatneously

Grooved Director

used to expand the vein and guide a drain tube or drainage device into place

Needle Injector

manual device used to embed a barb attached to the end of a metal wire to close the jaw

Unionall

covers neck to feet

Stockings

legs to feet

Coveralls

armpit torso down to upper thigh

Capri pants

pants & stockings

Sleeves

upper arms to wrists

Pants

lower torso to upper thigh

Autopsy Aspirator

“post aspirator” designed with numerous holes in the head to prevent clogging

Nasal Tube Aspirator

attaches to the aspirating hose, and is inserted into the nostril or throat for limited aspiration of those cavities.

Trocar

long, hollow, needle used for cavity aspiration and injection

Hypovalve Trocar

designed for hypodermic injection only - thumb controlled - used to aspirate fluids and gases from cavities and organs

Aneurysm Hook

curved tipped instruments used to locate and raise arteries and veins (secures and elevates)

Aneurysm Needle

Has an eye to pass suture thread around a vessel

Double Curved Suture Needle

“S” curved needle

Half-Curved Suture Needle

predominantly straight design w/ slightly curved cutting tip

Asepsis

free from infection, for any form of life, sterility

Bactericidal

destructive to bacteria

Bacteriostatic

inhibiting the growth of bacteria

Cold Chemical Sterilant

liquid chem. solution to sterilize heat sensitive items that cannot withstand high temps

Decontamination

use of physical, chem, or other means to remove, inactivate, or destroy harmful microorganisms or chemicals from a surface

Arterial Embalming

vascular or capillary

Hemolysis

rupture or destruction of red blood cells

Imbibition

ability of cells to draw moisture from surround area

P. Mortem Chemical Changes

generated by chem. activities that result in the formation of new chem. substances
Ex:
P.mortem caloricity

p.mortem stain

shift in body pH

Rigor Mortis

Decomp.

P. Mortem Stain (C)

extravascular color change brought on by hemolysis

P.mortem Caloricity (C)

temp. rise in body temp after death

Shifts in pH (C)

slightly alkaline pre-death, to acidic during rigor, then back to alkaline in decomposition.

P.mortem Physical Changes

brought on by forces of nature
Ex:

Algor Mortis

Dehydration

Hypostasis

Liver Mortis

^ in blood viscosity

Endo. invasion of blood

Algor Mortis (P)

cooling of the body to the temp. of the surrounding environment

Hypostasis (P)

gravitation of blood and body fluids to dependent areas of the body

Livor Mortis (P)

p.mortem intravascular blood discoloration brought about by the presence of blood in the dependent surface vessels of the body (a.k.a - p.mortem lividity)

Endogenous Invasion of Microorganisms (P)

relocation of microorganisms in the body as a result of the cessation of natural and metabolic activities

Primary Flaccidity

relaxed muscles as death occurs

Secondary Flaccidity

when rigor mortis passes naturally in an unembalmed body (36-72 hrs)

Ptomaines

“foul amines” formed by putrefactive bacteria

Adipocere

“grave wax” the final product of fat decomposition

Agonal Algor

cooling of the body before death

Agonal Hypostasis

settling of blood in to the dependent tissues of the body

Anabolism

building phase of metabolism

Catabolism

breakdown phase of metabolism

Autolysis

cellular self-decomp

Desquamation

skin slip

Sludge

clumps of formed elements in the blood due to dehydration

Taphonomy

scientific study of decomposition

Translocation

movement of microorganisms from one area of the body to another (endogenous invasion of microorgs)

Buffers

stabilize the acid-base balance of the embalming fluid and assist in the stabilizing the pH of the tissues where the embalming fluid reacts w/ the cellular proteins

Formalin

aqueous form of formaldehyde 40%

Gluteraldehyde

liquid, mild odor and light color, can react with protein structures over a wide pH range. More effective than HCHO

Humectants

(ex. glycerine) agents that help to control tissue moisture balance

Modifying Agents

control rate of action of the main preservative ingredients of embalming formulations
ex: buffers, humectants, anticoagulants, inorganic salts, water conditioners

Paraformaldehyde

powder form of formaldehyde

Preservatives

agents in the embalming fluid that cause the proteins to change in nature

Surfactants

promote diffusion of the preservative elements through the capillary walls by lowering the surface tension

Vehicles (dilutents/carriers)

serves as the solvent for the many ingredients incorporated into the embalming fluid, can also provide stability