PBS Unit 1.2: Anatomy of an Autopsy, Body Systems, and Forensic Analysis

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering PBS 1.2 concepts: autopsy procedures, cause/mechanism/manner of death, the 11 organ systems, postmortem time-of-death indicators, forensic toxicology, histology, and the primary tissue types.

What is an autopsy?

An examination of the body after death.

What are the five key components of an autopsy?

External Exam, Internal Exam, Histology, Toxicology, and Gross Anatomy.

What occurs during the external examination step of an autopsy?

The body is weighed and measured.

What procedure is performed during the internal examination step of an autopsy?

The body is cut from the chest and down the center of the body; organs are removed and weighed.

What is determined during the analysis of stomach contents in an autopsy?

The identity and degree of digestion of foods is determined.

Why are sample collections (blood, urine, and tissues) taken during an autopsy?

To collect and test samples to help determine identity and the cause of death.

What is the purpose of documentation during an autopsy?

Photographs are taken to document injury, features of identification, and the state of decomposition.

How is cause of death defined?

The injury, disease, or trauma that caused the death.

How is mechanism of death defined?

What happened inside the body to produce death.

How is manner of death defined?

The circumstances that result in death, categorized as natural or unnatural.

What are the key organs and functions of the Cardiovascular System?

Organs: Heart and Blood vessels. Function: Pumps blood around the body and transports oxygen, $CO_2$, nutrients, and waste.

What are the key organs and functions of the Skeletal System?

Organs: Bones and Joints. Function: Protects and supports body organs.

What are the components and functions of the Muscular System?

Components: Skeletal Muscle, Cardiac Muscle, and Smooth Muscle. Function: Moves the body and moves substances around the body.

What are the key organs and functions of the Nervous System?

Organs: Brain, Spinal cord, Nerves, and Sensory Receptors. Function: Responds to internal and external changes by acting an appropriate response.

What are the key organs and functions of the Reproductive System?

Organs: Vagina, Ovaries, Uterus, Penis, Testes, and Prostate. Function: To produce, transport, and sustain sperm and egg cells.

What are the key organs and functions of the Urinary System?

Organs: Kidney, Bladder, Ureter, and Urethra. Function: Removes waste from the body.

What are the key organs and functions of the Respiratory System?

Organs: Nasal Cavity, Trachea, Lungs, and Bronchus. Function: Assists with gas exchange, keeps blood supplied with oxygen, and removes $CO_2$.

What are the structures and functions of the Integumentary System?

Structures: Hair, Skin, and Nails. Function: Forms the body's external covering, helps regulate body temperature, and protects deeper tissue.

What are the key glands and functions of the Endocrine System?

Glands: Testis, Adrenal Gland, Pituitary Gland, and Ovary. Function: Secretes hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism by body cells.

What are the structures and functions of the Lymphatic System?

Structures: Lymph nodes, Spleen, Thymus, and Bone marrow. Function: Filters fluid in the body and mounts the attack against foreign substances in the body.

What basic sections and information are included in an Autopsy Report?

Historical Summary, Examination Info, Clothing/Personal effects, Medical Interventions, Features of Identification, Postmortem Changes, Evidence of Injury, External Exam, Internal Exam, Skull Analysis, Toxicology Results, Lab Results, Histology Results, Case Summary, and Cause of Death.

What is algor mortis?

The postmortem cooling process where the body's temperature reaches the ambient temperature of its surroundings.

What is rigor mortis, and how does it progress?

The postmortem stiffening where muscles contract and stiffen; it starts in the head and then moves down the body.

What is livor mortis?

The postmortem pooling of blood after the heart stops beating, causing the skin to turn a bluish color.

What were the outcomes of the rate of cooling experiment under different ambient temperatures?

Cold temperature cools the fastest, warm temperature cools the slowest, and room temperature cools moderately.

What is the Glaister equation used to estimate time of death?

$$\frac{98.4 - \text{rectal temp}}{1.5} = \text{hours since death}$$

How is entomology utilized to determine time of death?

By comparing the ages of bugs found around the body to determine how long the body has been decomposing.

What is forensic toxicology?

The study of how poisons, chemicals, and other substances cause harmful effects in living things.

What was the purpose of the presumptive test conducted in Activity 1.2.3?

To determine what pill was partially digested in Anna's stomach (identified as Advil).

What is histology in the context of forensic pathology?

Examining the tissues of the body to determine the cause of death.

How is the nervous system structurally divided?

Central Nervous System (Spinal Cord + Brain) and Peripheral Nervous System (Nerves).

What are the structural levels of organization in Gross Anatomy?

Cells to Tissues to Organs to Organ Systems.

What three brain states or conditions were evaluated using MRI cross-section images?

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), and Normal brain.

What are the components and function of nervous tissue?

Made up of neurons (forming nerves, spinal cord, and brain); it works to receive, interpret, and respond to signals.

What is the composition and function of epithelial tissue?

Composed of epithelial cells; works to absorb, secrete, and protect.

What are the locations and overall function of muscle tissue?

Provides the ability to contract; skeletal muscle is attached to bones, smooth muscle is in internal organ walls, and cardiac muscle is in heart walls.

What is the function and anatomical distribution of connective tissue?

Supports and connects other tissue types in the body; found attached to and in between other tissue types in the body.