Embalming Chemistry Glossary

Embalming Chemistry Glossary / Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

Accessory Chemicals

Any chemical used in the preparation of human remains that is not injected into the arterial system or cavities.

Acids

Substances that yield hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution.

Adipocere (gravewax)

A wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat.

Alcohols

An organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups.

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups.

Amides

Derivatives or carboxylic acids in which a hydroxyl group is substituted with an amine or ammonia having the general formula of R-CONH-R’

Amines

An organic compound containing nitrogen with the general formula of R-NH2

Amino acid

The building blocks of proteins that contain an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group.

Amphoterism

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

Anticoagulants

Chemical agents that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous.

Arterial fluid

Concentrated preservative chemicals used primarily for arterial embalming.

Arterial solution

Mixture of arterial fluid and water used for arterial injection with the possible inclusion of supplemental fluids.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that has all the properties of the element.

Autolysis

Self-digestion or self-destruction of the body by enzymes.

Bases

Substances that yield hydroxide ions in an aqueous solution.

Biochemistry

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

Boiling

Conversion of a liquid into the vapor state through the action of heat.

Bond

An attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions or groups of atoms in a molecule or crystal.

Buffers

Substances capable of maintaining a constant pH by neutralizing both acids and bases.

Carbohydrates

A compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen that is an aldehyde or ketone derivative of polyhydroxyl alcohol.

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound that contains a carboxyl group (C(=O)OH).

Cavity fluid

Concentrated preservative chemicals used in cavity embalming.

Chemical change

A change that results in the formation of a new chemical substance(s).

Chemical properties

Characteristics of a substance observed during or after a chemical reaction.

Chemistry

The study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Coagulation

The process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by physical or chemical means.

Colloid

A solute that can pass through filters but not membranes.

Combustion

Rapid oxidation that produces heat and light.

Compound

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

Concentrated solution

A solution containing a relatively large amount of solute.

Concentration

The ratio of a solute to the solution or solvent.

Condensation

A change of state of matter from a gas to a liquid.

Covalent

A chemical bond formed between two atoms by the sharing of electrons.

Crystalloid

A solute that can pass through a membrane.

Decay

The gradual decomposition of dead organic matter by the enzymes of aerobic bacteria.

Dehydration

The removal of water from a substance.

Denaturation

The distribution and breakdown of a protein by heat or chemicals.

Desiccation

A complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture.

Dialdehyde

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

Diffusion

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.

Dilute solution

A solution containing relatively small amount of solute.

Disinfectant

An agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate/surfaces objects to kill most disease-causing microbial agents, excluding bacterial spores.

Dye

Natural or synthetic compounds that are used to impart color to another material.

Elements

Simple substances which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means.

Embalming chemistry

The study of those types of matter and changes in matter related to disinfection, preservation, and restoration of human remains.

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a biological catalyst.

Ester

An organic compound with the general formula RCOOR’.

Fats

A combination of saturated fatty acids and glycerol that is a semisolid at room temperature.

Fermentation

The microbial decomposition of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions.

Formalin

Formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume.

Formula

A symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance.

Freezing

A change of state of matter from a liquid to a solid by the loss of heat.

Gases

A state of matter that has no definite shape or volume.

Hardness of water

The condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions.

Humectant

Chemicals that increase the capability of tissues to retain moisture.

Hydrate

A compound in which there is a union between water and certain substances when they crystallize.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction in which a substance is broken down or dissociated by water.

Hydrogen Bond

A non-chemical bond that creates surface tension.

Hypertonic solution

A solution having greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared.

Hypotonic solution

A solution having a lesser concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared.

Imbibition

The swelling and softening of tissues and organs as a result of absorbing moisture from adjacent sources.

Index

The strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100ml of solution.

Inorganic chemistry

That branch of chemistry that studies the properties and reactions of elements, excluding organic or certain carbon-containing compounds.

Ion

An atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative electrical charge.

Ionic

A chemical bond formed between oppositely charged atoms.

Isotonic solution

A solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute as the solution to which it is compared.

Ketone

A class of organic compounds with the general formula R(CO)R’ formed by the oxidation of a secondary alcohol.

Liquid

A state of matter having a definite volume but no definite shape.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Melting

A change of state of matter from a solid to a liquid by the addition of heat.

Metal

An element marked by luster, malleability, ductility, and conductivity of electricity and heat.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances not chemically united and that exist in no fixed proportion to each other.

Minimum lethal dose (MLD)

The smallest dose of a poison that produces death.

Modifying agent

Chemicals incorporated into commercial preservative fluids to meet the varying demands of embalming procedures.

Molecule

A group of two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds.

Neutralization

The reaction of an acid and a base to produce salt and water.

Nonmetal

Any element that is generally dull in appearance, has a low density, has a low melting point and is not a good conductor of heat or electricity.

Oils

A combination of unsaturated fatty acids and glycerol that is a liquid at room temperature.

Organic chemistry

That branch of chemistry that deals with certain carbon-containing compounds.

Osmosis

The passage of a solvent from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.

Oxide

A compound consisting of oxygen combined with only one other element.

Parts per million (ppm)

A method of expressing low concentrations; 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 milligram per liter.

Peptide bond

A bond formed from a dehydration reaction between the amino group on one amino acid with the carboxyl group on another amino acid.

Periodic table

A tabular arrangement of the elements, ordered by their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.

pH

The measure of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

Physical change

A change in the form or state of matter without any change in chemical composition.

Physical properties

Characteristics of a substance that are observed or measured without a change in chemical composition.

Poison

A substance capable of causing illness or death to an organism.

Polymerization

A chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units.

Pre-injection fluid

Fluids designed to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute more effectively.

Preservative

Substances used to inhibit protein decomposition and inactivate enzymes.

Preservative demand

The amount of preservative necessary to properly embalm human remains.

Protein

A biological component that is a polymer of many amino acids.

Perfuming agent (masking agent)

Chemicals having the capability of altering an unpleasant odor.

Putrefaction

The decomposition of proteins by the enzymatic activity of anaerobic bacteria.

Quaternary ammonium compound

Surface disinfectants that are generally used for disinfection of skin, oral and nasal cavities, as well as instruments.

Salt

Any group of substances that result from the reaction between acids and bases other than water.

Saponification

The hydrolysis of a fat and a strong base to produce glycerol and the salt of a fatty acid.

Saturated solution

A solution containing the maximum amount of solute a solvent is able to hold at a certain temperature and pressure.

Solid

A state of matter having a definite shape and volume.