Funeral Service Sciences: Glossary Flashcards
Localized accumulation of pus
Abscess
This term is applied to a lesser structure that resembles a similar organ in structure and function, such as the accessory pancreatic duct
- Accessory
- Auxillary
- Assisting
A substance that yields hydrogen or hydronium ions in aqueous solution
Acids
Presents itself after birth
Acquired
Hyperfunction of pituitary gland after ossification has been completed
Acromegaly
A disease with a more or less rapid onset and short duration
Acute
A wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat in a body buried in alkaline soil
- Adipocere
* Gravewax
A protein found in blood plasma
Albumin
An organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl groups
Alcohols
Hydroxyl group
(-OH)
An organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups
Aldehyde
The digestive system tube from the mouth to the anus, including the mouth or buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines
Alimentary canal
Having a hypersensitivity to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction
Allergies
An acquired, abnormal immune response to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction
- Allergy
* Hypersensitivity
Substance that does not normally cause a reaction
Allergen
Congenital absence of one or more limbs
Amelia
An organic compound containing nitrogen
Amines
Any compounds formed from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by organic radicals
Amines
General formula for primary amines
R-NH2
The building blocks of proteins
Amino acid
A compound containing an amino group, a carboxyl group attached to an alpha carbon and a radical
Amino acid
Amino group
-NH2
Carboxyl group
-COOH
Any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in solution
Amphoteric
Example: amino acid
Amphoteric
Generalized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue
Anasarca
The branch of science dealing with the study of the structure of the body
Anatomy
A decrease in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin or both
Anemia
A localized dilation of a blood vessel
Aneurysm
The study of vessels
Angiology
Mutual opposition or contrary action
Antagonism
The inhibition of one microorganism by another
Antagonism
Glycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to, and interacting specifically with, an antigen
- Antibody
* Immunoglobulin
Chemicals used to keep the blood in the liquid state
Anticoagulants
Chemical agents that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous by natural post mortem processes and / or prevent other adverse reactions between the blood and the other embalming chemicals
Anticoagulants
A foreign substance that stimulates the formation of antibodies that react specifically with it
Antigen
The prevention or inhibiting of the growth of causative microorganisms
Antisepsis
Before or in front of
- Anterior
* Ventral
Refers to the front side of the body
- Anterior
* Ventral
Dilution or weakening of virulence of a microorganism, reducing or abolishing pathogenicity
Attenuation
Failure of a tissue or an organ to develop normally
Aplasia
The bony structure that makes up the pectoral girdle, upper extremities, pelvic girdle, and lower extremities
Appendicular skeleton
The concentrated, preservative embalming chemical that will be diluted with water (or another appropriate vehicle such as alcohol) to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming
- Arterial fluid
* Vascular fluid
Disease of the arteries resulting in thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
Arteriosclerosis
The place of union between two or more bones
Articulation
Joint
Articulation
Accumulation of free serous fluid in the abdominal cavity
Ascities
A form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in the inner layer or arterial walls
Atherosclerosis
The smallest particle of an element that has all the properties of the element
Atom
A wasting, decrease in size of an organ or tissue
Atrophy
Self-digestion or self-destruction of the body by autolytic enzymes
Autolysis
A postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition
Autopsy
Those chemicals specifically designed for use in the preparation of bodies following an autopsy
Autopsy chemicals
Self-nourishing bacteria
Autotrophic bacteria
Bones in the axial skeleton
80
Includes the skull, vertebrae, thorax and hyoid bone
Axial skeleton
Rod-shaped bacteria
- Bacillus
* Bacilli
The presence of bacteria in the blood
Bacteremia
A prokaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera, existing as free-living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having a large range of biochemical properties
Bacteria
A visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium, presumably arising from a single microorganism
Bacterial colony
An agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores
Bactericide
Science that studies bacteria
Bacteriology
A substance that yields hydroxide ions in aqueous solution
Bases
Refers to the symmetry of paired organs, or to an organism whose right and left halves are similar images of each other, or in which a median section divides the organism into equivalent right and left halves
Bilateral symmetry
Pertaining to bile
Biliary
The organs and ducts that participate in the secretion, storage, and delivery of bile to the duodenum
Biliary tract
A method of asexual reproduction involving halving of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell followed by the development of each half into a new individual
Binary fission
That branch of chemistry dealing with compounds produced by living organisms
Biochemistry
An arthropod vector in which the disease causing organism multiplies or develops within the arthropod prior to becoming infective for a susceptible individual
Biological vector
A membranous sac or receptacle for a secretion or excretion
Bladder
The rapid passage of liquid particles to the vapor state by forming bubbles through the action of heat
Boiling
The term for the point of equilibrium between the liquid and gas states of matter and typically employed when the temperature is increasing
Boiling
Relating to the cheek or mouth
Buccal
Substances that in solution are capable of neutralizing, within limits, both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original, or constant pH, of the solution
Buffers
A general state of ill-health, associated with emaciation
Cachexia
A sheath or continuous enclosure around an organ or structure
Capsule
The membrane that surrounds some bacterial cells
Capsule
A loose gel-like structure that in pathogenic bacteria, helps to protect against phagocytosis
Capsule
A compound of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen that is an aldehyde or ketone derivative of polyhydroxyl alcohol
Carbohydrates
Examples: sugars, starches, and glycogen
Carbohydrates
Several communicating boils of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with the production and discharge of pus and dead tissue
Carbuncle
The study of the heart
Cardiology
A canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone that transmits the internal carotid artery and the internal carotid plexus of sympathetic nerves
Carotid canal
Formation of cavities in an organ or tissue
Cavitation
Frequently seen in some forms of tuberculosis
Cavitation
Concentrated embalming chemicals which are injected into the cavities of the body following aspiration in cavity embalming
Cavity fluid
Can be used for surface and hypodermic embalming of the problem areas
Cavity fluid
Situated at or pertaining to a center point
Central
A large group of nonmotile, gram negative intracellular parasites
Chlamydia
A change in which a new substance or substances are produced that have entirely different properties from the original substance because the chemical composition has changed
Chemical changes
Characteristics that can be observed when a substance is interacting with other substances resulting in a change of chemical composition
Chemical properties
The branch of natural science that is concerned with the description and classification of matter, with the changes that matter undergoes, and with the energy associated with each of these changes
Chemistry
Funnel shaped openings, especially of the posterior nares
Choanae
One of the communication passageways between the nasal fossae and the pharynx
Choanae
A disease with a more or less slow onset and long duration
Chronic
Congenitally malformed palate with a fissure along the midline
Cleft palate
Study of disease by means of body secretions, excretions, and other body fluids performed in the laboratory in the diagnosis of a disease
Clinical pathology
The process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by heating or by contact with a chemical such as an alcohol or an aldehyde
Coagulation
The type of bacteria that is spherical or ovoid in form
- Coccus
* Cocci
A solution-like system in which the size of the solute particle is between 1 and 100 nanometers
Colloid
Particles of solute pass through filters but not membranes
Colloid
The part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum
Colon
The rapid oxidation or burning that produces heat and light
Combustion
The symbiotic relationship of two organisms of different species in which one gains some benefit such as protection or nourishment and the other is not harmed or benefited
Commensalism
A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another
Communicable
An unfavorable condition arising during the course of disease
Complication
A substance consisting of two or more atoms combined chemically in definite proportions by mass
Compounds
A solution containing a relatively large amount of solute
Concentrated solution
The ratio of mass or volume of a solute to the mass or volume of the solution or solvent
Concentrations
One of the three nasal conchae
Concha
A scroll-like bone
Concha
The immediate and temporary disturbance of brain function
Concussion
A change of state of matter from a gas to a liquid
Condensation
A curved protuberance at the end of a bone forming an articulation
Condyle
Existing at the time of birth or shortly thereafter
Congenital
Accumulation of an excess of blood or tissue fluid in a body part
Congestion
The act of introducing disease germs or infectious material into an area or substance
Contamination
A bruise often accompanied with swelling
Contusion
The outer layer of an organ as distinguished from the inner medulla, as in the adrenal gland or kidney
Cortex
A congenital condition due to hypothyroidism resulting in mental retardation
Cretinism
Condition in which the descent of a testis into the scrotum si arrested at some point in the normal path
- Cryptorchism
* Cryptorchildism
The process by which a substance is given definite form
Crystallization
A normal or abnormal bending away
Curvature
A curve
Curvature
Bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membrane due to lack of oxygen
Cyanosis
A sac within or on the body surface containing air or fluid
Cyst
Of or pertaining to a sac-like structure
Cystic
Pertaining to the gallbladder
Cystic
Pertaining to the urinary bladder
Cystic
The gradual decomposition of dead organic matter by the enzymes of aerobic bacteria
Decay
Below the surface
Deep
Disease due to lack of dietary or metabolic substance
Deficiency
The deterioration of tissues with corresponding functional impairment as a result of disease or injury
Degeneration
Loss of moisture from body tissue which may occur antemortem or postmortem
Dehydration
The removal of water from a substance
- Dehydration
* Desiccation
Generally used to indicate the natural loss of water
Dehydration
Used when a substance is intentionally caused to lose water
Desiccation
The disruption and breakdown of the secondary structure of a protein by heat or chemicals
Denaturation
Chemicals having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one
Deodorants
Reduction of the toxic properties of a poisonous substance
Detoxification
The term denoting the naming of the disease or syndrome
Diagnosis
To recognize the nature of a disease
Diagnosis
An organic compound containing two aldehyde radicals
Dialdehyde
Aldehyde
-CHO
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
Diffusion
The condition of the heart being enlarged, occurring normally, artificially, or as a result of disease
- Dilatation
* Dilation
A solution containing relatively small amount of solute
Dilute solution
A double bacillus, two being linked end to end
Diplobacilli
A diplobacilli causing conjunctivitis
Morax-Aexenfeld
A genus of bacteria that occur in pairs
Diplococcus
Farthest from the center, from a medial line, or from the trunk
Distal
Opposite of proximal
Distal
A chemical or physical agent that kills disease-causing microorganisms
Disinfectant
The destruction of disease-causing microorganisms by chemical or physical means
Disinfection
Toward the back
- Dorsal
* Posterior
Opposite of anterior
- Dorsal
* Posterior
Resistant, as in bacteria, to the action of a drug or drugs
Drug-fast
Condition that results when the body part that dies had little blood and remains aseptic and occurs when the arteries but not the veins are obstructed
Dry gangrene
Example: ischemic necrosis
Dry gangrene
A natural or synthetic compound that is used to impart color to another material
Dyes
Abnormal development of tissue
Dysplasia
Small, non-elevated hemorrhagic patch
Ecchymosis
Extravasation of blood into a tissue
Ecchymosis
The implantation of the fertilized ovum in a site other than the normal one in the uterine cavity
Ectopic pregnancy
Abnormal accumulation of fluids in tissue or body cavities
- Edema
* Dropsy
A simple substance which cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means
Elements
Excessive wasting away of the body
Emaciation
The study of those types of matter and changes in matter related to the disinfection and preservation of human remains
Embalming chemistry
The fluids specifically designed for preservation and disinfection purposes
Embalming fluids
Free floating object in the blood stream
Embolism
A prominence or projection, especially of a bone
Eminence
Pus in the pleural cavity
Empyema
Disease that occurs continuously in a particular region, but has low mortality
Endemic
A disease that is continuously present in a community
Endemic
Pertaining to a ductless gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream
Endocrine
Produced or arising from within a cell or organism
Endogenous infection
A thick-walled spore within a bacterium
Endospores
Bacterial toxin confined within the cell wall of a bacterium freed only when the bacterium is broken down, found only in gram negative bacteria
Endotoxin
A protein that acts as a biological catalyst
Enzyme
Appearance of an infectious disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time in the same geographical area
Epidemic
A disease that is currently in higher than normal numbers
Epidemic
A chronic neurogenic disease marked by sudden alterations in consciousness and frequently by convulsions
Epilepsy
Bleeding from the nose
Epistaxis
A compound with the general formula RCOOR’
Ester
R in RCOOR’
Hydrocarbon group or a hydrogen
R’ in RCOOR’
hydrocarbon group
Formed from an alcohol and organic (or carboxylic) acid by removal of water (dehydration)
Ester
The study of the cause of disease
Etiology
Increase in severity of a disease
Exacerbation
Pertaining to a gland that delivers its secretion through a duct
Exocrine
Originating outside an organ or part
Exogenous infections
A toxin produced by a microorganism and excreted into its surrounding medium
Exotoxin
Loss of blood to the point where life can no longer be sustained
Exsanguination
Exterior
External
The opposite of internal
External
The lateral, outer opening of the external auditory canal
External auditory meatus
Fluid or cellular debris exuding from blood vessels and deposited in tissues or tissue surfaces
Exudate
Usually a result of inflammation
Exudate
A microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that it can live and grow in the presence of oxygen
Facultative aerobe
An organism that prefers an oxygen environment but is capable of living and growing in its absence
Facultative anaerobe
Prefers live organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative saprophyte
A common name for a triacylglycerol that is a semisolid or solid at room temperature and contains a high percentage of saturated fatty acids
Fats
Pertaining to or characterized by fever
Febrile
The microbial (enzymatic) decomposition of carbohydrates under anaerobic conditions
Fermentation
One in which the organisms are originally confined to one area but enter the blood or lymph vessel and spread to other parts of the body
Focal infection
Any inanimate object to which infectious material adheres and can be transmitted
Fomite
A temporarily unossified area on the surface of the cranium of an infant
Fontanel
Formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume
Formalin
That amount of formaldehyde necessary to overcome any nitrogen residue and cause the body proteins to become coagulated
- Formaldehyde demand
* Glutaraldehyde demand
A shallow depression
Fossa
A change of state of matter from a liquid to a solid by the loss of heat
Freezing
The term for the point of equilibrium between the solid and liquid states and typically employed when the temperature is decreasing
Freezing
Having rapid and severe onset, usually fatal
Fulminating
A condition or disease in which there is no recognizable change in anatomy
Functional
A substance that kills fungi
Fungicide
A group of diverse and widespread unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll, usually bearing spores and often filamentous
- Fungus
* Fungi
An abscess or pyogenic infection of a sweat gland or hair follicle
Furuncle
A state of matter in which the atoms or molecules move about in almost complete freedom from one another
Gases
Have no definite shape or volume and assume the shape and volume of their container by diffusing uniformly throughout the container
Gases
An infection that becomes systemic
General infection
Deals with the study of the widespread processes of disease, without reference to particular organs or organ systems
General pathology
Examples: inflammation, degeneration, necrosis or cellular death, repair, etc
General pathology
A substance that destroys microorganisms
Germicide
A secretory organ or structure
Gland
A cell or group of cells that can manufacture a secretion
Gland
Enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency
Goiter
Study of changes in structure of the body that are readily seen with the unaided eye as a result of disease
Gross pathology
The condition of water that results from dissolved minerals and metallic ions such as calcium and magnesium
Hardness of water
Vomiting of blood
Hematemesis
Tumor like swelling of blood
Hematoma
Discharge of red blood cells in the urine
Hematuria
An inherited hemorrhagic disease characterized by a tendency to excessive and sometime spontaneous bleeding
Hemophilia
Blood in sputum
Hemoptysis
Escape of blood from blood vascular system
Hemorrhage
Genetic characteristics transmitted from parent to offspring
Hereditary
