Module 5: Embalming Chemicals Flashcards
(34 cards)
Arterial Fluid
Arterial concentrated preservative embalming chemical that will be diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into arterial system during vascular embalming
Arterial solution
The in-use solution composed of the concentrated embalming fluid diluted with water and other additive (supplemental) chemicals for injection into the body
Cavity fluid
Concentrated embalming chemicals, which are injected into the cavities of the body following aspiration in cavity embalming. This chemical can be used for surface and hypodermic embalming
Supplemental fluid
Fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection. Some are injected before the preservative solution others are injected with the preservative solution (pre-injection and co-injection fluids; water corrected fluid)
Accessory chemical
Group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity embalming fluids; most are applied to the body surface (gels and powders)
Special purpose fluid
Loads designed for use with special body conditions such as jaundice or bodies requiring a high preservative demand as seen in body is good renal failure, extensive burns, or decomposition
Formaldehyde
A colorless gas at ambient temperature . It has a strong irritating odor and is very soluble in water
Formalin
An aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water
Paraformaldehyde
A white, powdery, solid polymer form of formaldehyde
Index
Refers only to the amount of formaldehyde gas present in any given product
Donor compounds
A chemical compound that slowly releases formaldehyde
Glutaraldehyde
In the early 1950s the method was developed that made it possible to manufacture the five carbon, straight chain dialdehyde gluteraldehyde
Phenol
Also known as carbolic acid is classified as a preservative as well as a germicide is one of the most commonly found components of both arterial and cavity fluids manufactured in the early days of the fluid industry today it is used chiefly in cavity fluid formulations phenol is like coal-tar derivatives that is a colorless crystalline solid
Quats
Quaternary ammonium compounds, also called quats or QACs, are a group of chemicals used for a variety of purposes including as preservatives, surfactants, antistatic agents and as active ingredients in disinfectants and sanitizers.
Vehicles
Substances that transport or carry chemicals through the body
Dye
Coloring agent that closely simulates the natural coloring of tissues
Salts
By desiccation assault pulled the water out of the cells depriving them of the water needed for normal metabolism this type of preservation does not usually produce viewable results as sought by modern embalming
Modifying agents
- Control the rate of action of the main preservative chemicals of embalming formulations.
- Consists of Buffers, Humectants , Anticoagulants and Surfactants
Buffers
help to balance the pH (acid-base levels) in the body of the deceased in order to make formaldehyde work better
formaldehyde works better in alkaline or basic pH levels so when rigor mortis sets in the body becomes more acidic from the breakdown of the muscles and buffers are needed to help balance the pH levels for better preservation
Humectants
Adds moisture to the tissue in order to make the body look more natural
Anti-coagulants
Water conditioning agents:
- Used to maintain blood in a liquid state and make it easy to remove from the circulatory system. Inhibits or stops blood clots.
- Reducing hardness of water, enhances function of arterial fluid. the interfering chemicals such as calcium, magnesium and iron prevent the preservative chemicals from performing their intended function of penetrating soft tissue.
- Produce a most desirable alkaline condition that enhance the coloring properties and action of dyes.
- Helps attain greater firmness by the help of water conditioning agents acting as a buffering agent.
Surfactants
A wetting agent that lowers surface tension in tiny capillary tubes
Pre-injection fluids
A pre injection fluid it is injected into the body before the preservative arterial solution is injected
Co-injection fluid
An arterial fluid and a coinjection fluid shift combined to form a homogeneous solution that can be distributed and diffused throughout the body