Module 4: Death - Agonal and Post Mortem Changes

Question 1

Necrosis

Answer 1

Pathologic death of body cells

Question 2

Agonal Algor

Answer 2

A cooling or decrease in body temperature prior to death

Question 3

Agonal Fever

Answer 3

An increase in body temperature just prior to death

Question 4

Agonal Hypostasis

Answer 4

A settling of blood into the dependent tissues of the body as a result of slowing circulation

Question 5

Agonal moisture changes

Answer 5

• Agonal edema
An increase in the amount of moisture, or fluids, in the tissues and the body cavities. It may result from disease processes or from agonal capillary expansion
• Agonal dehydration
A decrease in the amount of moisture, or fluids, in the tissues and the body cavities. It may result from disease processes or from agonal capillary expansion

Question 6

Translocation

Answer 6

The movement of microorganisms from on area of the body to another. The organism may have: 1.) Natural motility 2.) Entering the blood stream and circulating to other parts of the body; or 3.) Gravitating to other parts of the body during hypostasis or shifts in tissue moisture.

Question 7

Tissue Gas

Answer 7

As decomposition progresses gases begin to form in the viscera. This formation of gas generally starts in the stomach and intestines. Later gases form in the body tissues

Question 8

Agonal coagulation

Answer 8

Occurs as the circulation of blood slows and the formed elements of the blood begin to clot and congeal

Question 9

Agonal capillary expansion

Answer 9

The opening of the pores in the walls of the capillaries. Occurs as the body attempts to get more oxygen to the tissues and cells

Question 10

Algor Mortis

Answer 10

Cooling of the body temperature after death by the surrounding environment. Slows the onset of rigor mortis and decomposition

Question 11

Hypostasis

Answer 11

Gravitation of blood and body fluids to dependent areas of the body. Responsible for livor mortis

Question 12

Viscosity

Answer 12

Thickening of the blood after death caused primarily by the loss of the liquid portion of the blood to the tissue spaces. Thickened blood and coagulation. Increased resistance of arterial injections, hampers drainage.

Question 13

Livor Mortis

Answer 13

Postmortem intravascular blood discoloration brought about by the presence of blood in the dependent surface vessels of the body

Question 14

Dehydration

Answer 14

The loss of water from body tissues and fluids by surface evaporation

Question 15

Postmortem caloricity

Answer 15

Temporary rise in body temperature after death

Question 16

Postmortem stain

Answer 16

Extravascular color change brought about by the hemolysis where liberated hematin seeps through the capillary walls and into the body tissues this type of stain cannot be removed by arterial injection and venous drainage

Question 17

Rigor Mortis

Answer 17

Temporary postmortem stiffening of body muscles by natural body processes

Question 18

Autolysis

Answer 18

Cell self-decomposition as a result of enzymes being released

Question 19

Hydrolysis

Answer 19

The single most important factor in the initiation of decomposition. It is a chemical reaction in which the chemical bonds of a substance are split by the addition or taking up of water.

Question 20

Proteolysis

Answer 20

The breakdown of proteins or peptides into amino acids by the action of catalytic enzymes

Question 21

Putrefaction

Answer 21

What protein decomposition is known as

Question 22

Decay

Answer 22

The decomposition of proteins by aerobic bacteria

Question 23

Desquamation

Answer 23

When outer layers of the skin weaken because the deeper skin layers are undergoing autolysis

Question 24

Hemolysis (haemolysis)/hematolysis

Answer 24

Hemolysis (haemolysis)/hematolysis
Breakdown or destruction of red blood cells so that the contained oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin is freed into the surrounding medium