Basic Pathology Exam 1 Flashcards
(158 cards)
Thanatology
Study of death
Signs of death
unequivocal and equivocal
Agony
life to death, loss of function of all systems leading to organ dysfunction. Can be short or long depending on the trauma
Cause of Death
disease or injury that is responsible for the death, root cause or immediate cause
Mechanism of Death
physiologic derangement initiated by the cause of death and resulting in death
Ex: brain death leading to subsequent respiratory arrest
Manner of Death
natural vs. non-natural
rigor mortis
once ATP runs out in the muscles and have a myosin-actin binding rigidity. (ATP reserves depleted and cannot detach)
pallor mortis
pale skin due to lack of circulation in peripherals
Livor Mortis
dark spots appear in the skin in the lower portion of the body (gravitational pooling of blood)
Algor Mortis
Body temperature reduces to environmental temperature. Speed of cool down inversely proportional to rate of decomposition
Postmortem Autolysis/ Decomposition
this begins by progressive release of endogenous enzymes and then action of saprophytic bacteria (escaping from the gut)
Postmortem Clotting
in the heart and vessels and is diffusely red and elastic, does not adhere to vessels and the plasma may separate from the RBC
Chicken Fat Clots
the plasma that separates from the RBC resulting more yellowish
imbibition
the absorption of one substance by another
Hemoglobin imbibition
HgB released by the RBC breakdown (after death) leading to staining in the tissues (endocardium, blood vessels, aborted fetuses and frozen tissues)
Bile Imbibition
bile leaking from the gallbladder staining the surrounding tissues green and yellow
Pseudomelanosis
artificial black discoloration of tissues due to the saprophytic bacteria production of hydrogen sulfide and iron (iron sulfide)
Putrefaction
enzymatic decomposition of organic material and foul smelling compounds
postmortem Emphysema
Saprophytic bacteria produce gas, distend the GI tract and organs and body cavities (bloating). May cause rectal/vaginal prolapse. gas bubbles form in liver and brain and displacing the organs
euthanasia artifacts
deposition of formalin- soluble precipitates of barbiturates on serosal surfaces or endocardium
Etiology
manner of causation of death (endogenous or intrinsic: genetic) (Exogenous or acquired: infectious, nutritional etc.)
pathogenesis
events of the body cells and tissues to the etiological agent from that initial interaction to the expression of the disease.
Clinical diagnosis
estimated identification of the underlying disease based on diagnostics and history
morphological diagnosis
short phrase to sum up the important aspects of the lesion