Embalming - Module 7 Vocabulary

Arterial fluid

Concentrated preservative; diluted with water to create arterial solution; inactivates saprophytic bacteria & renders tissues less susceptible to decomp

Arterial solution

Diluted arterial fluid; diluted w/ water/supplemental fluid; injected into vascular system

Cavity fluid

Chemical injected into body cavities following arterial embalming & aspiration; can also be used to make a pack

Supplemental fluid

Injected for purposes other than preservation/disinfection; complements/enhances arterial fluid/conditions vascular system for better results

Accessory chemical

Used in addition to vascular/cavity fluids; typically applied after vascular/cavity injection; usually found in form of gel/powder; preserves/cauterizes tissue

Special purpose fluid

Use is dictated by body/specific cause of death; specially formulated fluids for a specific cause of death

Formalin

Aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas; composed of 37% HCHO & 7% methanol

Paraformaldehyde

Formaldehyde in a powder form; used to fix and preserve tissue

Phenol

Derivative of coal tar; cauterizes tissue by penetrating phospholipid bilayer surrounding cell

Buffer

Stabilizes pH of fluid & body; creates consistent pH environment throughout body; helps improve effectiveness of arterial fluid & uniformity of color in remains

Humectant

Moisturizes cellular environment & delicate tissues of body; helps prevent dehydration of tissues

Anticoagulant (water softeners)

Helps maintain blood in liquid state & produce desirable alkaline environment; lubricates vascular system & bathes cells to condition them to better accent arterial fluid; works to break up clots/promote distribution of art. fluid

Surfactant (wetting agents)

Lower surface tension of arterial solution, capillaries & cell membrane; allows formaldehyde to more fully penetrate cell

Inorganic salts

Desiccate tissue; cauterize

Active dyes

Dyes which permanently stain tissues

Inactive dyes

Dyes which do not permanently stain tissues

Natural coloring agents

Dyes made of organic materials

Synthetic coloring agents

Dyes made of inorganic materials

Cudbear

Natural coloring agent; purple/red in color

Carmine

Natural coloring agent; deep red in color

Cochineal

Natural coloring agent; red/made from dried blood of insects

Eosin

Synthetic coloring agent; red

Erythrosine

Synthetic coloring agent; brown powder —> creates cherry red solution

Ponceau

Synthetic coloring agent; dark reddish brown

Amaranth

Synthetic coloring agent; dark reddish brown