Embalming Fluids

Question 1

Arterial Embalming Fluids

Answer 1

embalming chemicals that are injected via the circulatory system; includes:
preservatives
germicides
modifying chemicals
supplementary chemicals

Question 2

Preservatives

Answer 2

most important components of arterial fluid; able to inactivate saprophytic bacteria and render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon which these bacteria thrive; arrest decomposition by converting the tissues into a form less suitable for decomposition and by altering the enzymes of the body that cause decomposition to occur; many are also disinfectants

Question 3

Examples of preservatives found in arterial fluids

Answer 3

aldehydes, alcohols, and phenolic compounds

Question 4

Preservative examples of PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS found in arterial fluids

Answer 4

Phenol and phenol derivatives

Question 5

Preservative examples of ALCOHOLS found in arterial fluids

Answer 5

Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol

Question 6

Preservative examples of ALDEHYDES found in arterial fluids

Answer 6

methanal (formaldehyde) and glutaraldehyde
Occasionally: acetaldehyde (ethanal)

Question 7

Eosine

Answer 7

An orange-colored dye used primarily to color the embalmed tissues.

Question 8

Erythrosine

Answer 8

A red-colored dye used primarily to color the embalmed tissues.

Question 9

Ponceau red

Answer 9

A red dye used primarily to color the embalming fluid.

Question 10

Deodorants, perfuming materials, or masking agents

Answer 10

Chemicals that can:
-destroy odors by altering the substances causing the odors or
-cover/mask the unpleasant odor

Question 11

The most common deodorants found in embalming fluids

Answer 11

ester, methyl salicylate, or oil of wintergreen

Question 12

Benzaldehyde

Answer 12

oil of bitter almonds; a deodorant in embalming fluid

Question 13

oil of sassafras

Answer 13

a deodorant in embalming fluid

Question 14

oil of cloves

Answer 14

a deodorant in embalming fluid

Question 15

Oil of bitter almonds

Answer 15

Benzaldehyde

Question 16

The most common vehicles/solvents/dilutents used in embalming fluids

Answer 16

water, the alcohols, and occasionally other organic solvents

Question 17

Is water an organic solvent?

Answer 17

No

Question 18

Types of Arterial Modifying Agents

Answer 18

-humectants
-buffers
-water conditioning agents
-surfactants

Question 19

Humectants

Answer 19

Chemicals that create an increased capability for embalmed tissues to retain moisture

Question 20

One reason for the use of humectants

Answer 20

added to a relatively weak solution of embalming fluid when embalming a body predisposed to dehydration or severely emaciated.

Question 21

Some of the chemicals used as humectants

Answer 21

-the alcohols (glycerol or glycerine, sorbitol, or the glycols)
-non-alcohol: lanolin

Question 22

An emollient

Answer 22

(like lanolin) is said to give a soft, life-like feel to the body when injected into the body

Question 23

Buffers

Answer 23

Chemicals which have a stabilizing effect on the acid-base balance (pH) of the embalming solutions and in the tissues of the body.

Question 24

Water conditioning agents

Answer 24

Water softeners or anticoagulants. Chemicals added when the water used to dilute the concentrated fluid is known to have or suspected of containing the ions that cause hardness of water. These calcium and/or magnesium ions would cause the blood to coagulate when it comes in contact with the arterial embalming solution.

Question 25

Commonly used water conditioning agents in arterial embalming solutions

Answer 25

-sodium citrate -the sodium salt of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetrasodiumacetate)

Question 26

Other words for surfactants

Answer 26

-surface active agents -wetting agents -surface tension reducers -penetrating agents

Question 27

Surfactants

Answer 27

chemicals that reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid, enabling the fluid to flow through smaller apertures

Question 28

Examples of surfactants used in embalming fluid

Answer 28

-sulfonates -sodium laurel sulfate

Question 29

Cavity fluids

Answer 29

embalming chemicals intended to be injected into cavities of the body following aspiration.

Question 30

The most important component of the cavity fluid

Answer 30

the preservative

Question 31

The more common germicides

Answer 31

quaternary ammonium compounds ("quats") and glutaraldehyde

Question 32

Accessory fluids

Answer 32

Specialized fluids use in addition to other embalming fluids or instead of another embalming fluid

Question 33

Pre-injection fluids

Answer 33

chemical formulations that would be used to flush out the circulatory system before the normal embalming fluid is injected arterially.

Question 34

Components of hardening compounds

Answer 34

-Preservative agent: paraformaldehyde -Dehydrating agent: aluminum chloride, alum, and/or plaster of Paris -Filler: perlite, vermiculite, or cellulose (or saw dust)

Question 35

Paradichlorobenzene

Answer 35

A mold inhibitor that may be placed in the sealed casket

Question 36

Factors that affect shelf-life of an embalming fluid

Answer 36

-temperature extremes -storage length -amount of methanol present -the pH of the solution -exposure to light