Autopsy Flashcard

Front

What does lividity help to determine?

Back

The time since death.

Front

What is cut and removed to expose the internal organs in the chest?

Back

Ribs.

Front

What is the Latin term that means 'death heat' and refers to postmortem cooling of the body?

Back

Algor mortis.

Front

What is the typical body temperature of a person who has been dead for 12 hours?

Back

83 F.

Front

Stitching on the incision is similar to that on a:

Back

Baseball.

Front

What is rigor mortis?

Back

The stiffening of the body after death due to chemical changes in the muscles.

Front

What is livor mortis?

Back

The pooling of blood in the body after death, causing a purplish discoloration.

Front

What is the purpose of an autopsy?

Back

To determine the cause of death and to evaluate any disease or injury.

Front

What is the significance of the body temperature in determining the time of death?

Back

Body temperature decreases at a predictable rate after death, helping to estimate the time since death.

Front

What are the main steps in performing an autopsy?

Back

External examination, internal examination, and toxicology tests.