Embalming Study Guide
Axillary Artery
Linear Guide: Through the center of the base of the axillary space & parallel to the long axis of the upper extremity when abducted. Anatomical Guide: Posterior to the medial border of the coracobrachialis muscle. Anatomical Limit: Begins at the later border of the 1st rib and terminates at the inferior border of the tendon of the teres major muscle. Incision: Along the anterior margin of the hairline of the axilla.
Popliteal Artery
Linear Guide: Through the center of the popliteal space parallel to the long axis of the lower extremities. Anatomical Limits: Begins at the opening of the adductor magnus muscle & terminates at the inferior border of the popliteus muscle.
Characteristics of Stomach Purge:
Liquid, has a brownish coffee ground appearance, sour odor, contains acid, usually exits through the nose and/or mouth.
Example of postmortem intravascular blood discoloration:
Livor Mortis (aka Cadaveric Lividity)
Which incision closing stitch is considered the most leak-proof?
Lock Stitch
Who is said to be the "Father of Histology"?
Marcello Malpighi
Which method of mouth closure is considered to be the most secure?
Needle Injector
The passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from a dilute into a concentrated solution is:
Osmosis
Which of the following is NOT a component of hardening compounds?: Paraformaldehyde, Phenol, Alum, Wood Powder
Phenol
Example of postmortem extravascular blood discolorations:
Post Mortem Stain *MOST PERMANENT STAIN*
Chemicals which inactivate saprophytic bacteria are called:
Preservatives
The passing of arterial solution through the capillary wall, caused by positive intravascular pressure is:
Pressure Filtration
Adhesive tape surface stain removers:
Rubbing alcohol, ether
Characteristics of Vascular Purge:
This is called FALSE purge. Color and consistency similar to arterial solution. It is considered 'false' because it's an evacuation of embalming chemicals (usually) and not bodily fluids.
Cranial Aspiration point of entry (adult):
Using an infant trocar - insert through a nostril and push through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
Any traumatic or pathological change in the structure of the skin is known as:
a Lesion
In cases where death is accompanied by high fever drainage is usually ___.
a problem due to increased blood viscosity.
Death beginning at the heart is termed
syncope.
Paint surface stain removers:
turpentine, paint thinner
A blister is also known as a
vesicle.
The initial color change of decomposing tissue is:
yellow-green.
An instrument which is inserted into the artery for the introduction of fluid is:
an arterial tube.
Distension of the body tissues is a complication of:
anasarca.
The first body compounds to decompose are the:
carbohydrates.
Hemolysis complicates the embalming process because it:
causes a stain.
The action of formaldehyde on protein is:
coagulation.
The maximum average level of exposure to formaldehyde over an eight hour time period is:
0.75 ppm
___ gallon of arterial embalming solution per ___ lbs of body weight.
1 gallon 50 lbs
When using the gravity method of obtaining pressure for injecting arterial fluid, the embalmer can expect to receive approximately ___ pound(s) of pressure per foot of elevation above the point of injection.
1/2 lbs
There is an immediate danger to health and life if exposed to formaldehyde levels above:
100 ppm
The Formaldehyde Standard for short-term exposure to formaldehyde is:
2 ppm/15 minutes
How many ounces of formaldehyde are contained in a 16 oz bottle of 25 index arterial fluid?:
4 ounces
Tar/Varnish surface stain removers:
Acetone, commercial remover, liquid shampoo
Adult trocar vs. infant trocar (length & diameter)
Adult: 16" long with 3/8" diameter. Infant: 7" long with 5/16" diameter.
Iodine surface stain removers:
Alcohol
Which of the following are the first products of decomposition?: Fatty acids, Amino acids, Indole, Cadaverine
Amino Acids.
Severe generalized edema is known as:
Anasarca
The decomposition of protein by the action of aerobic bacteria is:
decay.
Hydrocele is
edema of the scrotum.
Wax surface stain remover:
ether
Grease surface stain removers:
ether, acetone, gasoline, liquid shampoo
Oil surface stain removers:
ether, kerosene, gasoline, carbon tetrachloride
The first muscle tissue to be affected by rigor mortis is:
eyes.
Complete cellular death always _____ somatic death.
follows
An instrument which may be used to guide an arterial or vein tube into a vessel is the:
groove director.
Postmortem staining is an extravascular change in the color of tissues due to:
hemolysis.
Dyes used in arterial fluid which color the fluid in the bottle, but impart no color to the body tissues are:
inactive.
Fatty tissues in a body retards algor mortis because it
insulates.
Common Carotid Arteries
Anatomical Guide (both): along the medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Linear Guide (both): sternoclavicular articulation to the anterior lobe of the ear. Rt. Anatomical Limit: sternoclavicular articulation - terminates at the superior border of the thyroid cartilage. Lt. Anatomical Limit: second costal cartilage (rib) on the left - terminates at the superior border of the thyroid cartilage.
Improper positioning of the head on the headrest may interfere with drainage from the:
jugular vein.
In the NORMAL case, the first organ to decompose is the:
lining of the trachea and larynx.
The decomposition of fats occurs by
lipolysis.
In the normal eye closure, the eyelids should meet in the:
lower one-third of the orbit.
The focal point in regards to the cavity treatment of a case with tuberculosis is the
lung.
The Egyptians immersed bodies in:
natron solution.
Subclavian Arteries
Anatomical Guide: Beneath the clavical Rt. Anatomical Limit: sternoclavicular articulation - terminates at lateral border of the 1st rib. Lt. Anatomical Limit: 2nd costal cartilage - terminates at lateral border of the 1st rib. Incision: upper margin of clavical about 1/3 the distance from shoulder to the root of the neck.
Just behind the medial border of the coracobrachialis muscle is the anatomical guide for the _____ artery.
Axillary
The anatomical guide for the ___ artery is posterior to the medial border of the belly of the biceps brachii muscle.
Brachial
The infantile ______ is the first organ to decompose.
Brain Insert trocar through the posterior fontenal in order to treat the brain with cavity fluid.
Examples of antemortem intravascular blood discolorations:
Carbon Monoxide (cherry red) Capillary Congestion (passive, active, hypostatic)
Which of the following conditions would favor edema?: Malaria, Tuberculosis, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Typhoid Fever
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The action of CH,2,O (formaldehyde) on protein is termed:
Coagulation
Blood surface stain removers:
Cold water, ammonia
The temporary rise in body temperature after death is called:
postmortem caloricity.
The discoloration which is considered to be most permanent is:
postmortem extravascular discoloration.
With the embalming machine turned on and the rate of flow valve closed, the type of pressure being shown on the pressure gauge is
potential pressure.
What effect does hard water have on blood clotting?
promotes blood clotting.
The decomposition of protein by the action of anaerobic bacteria is:
putrefaction.
The center of blood drainage in embalming is the:
right atrium of the heart.
The whip stitch is also known as the
roll stitch.
Burns that have blisters that form are classified as
second degree.
The cooling of the body of a corpulent person would be:
slower.
Death beginning by failure of one of the vital organs of the body is:
somatic death.
Which of the following methods of embalming would be considered the least effective in terms of fluid distribution and final results?: Alternate Intermittent Concurrent
Concurrent Difficult to attain sufficient pressure to saturate the tissues throughout the body. Fluid will follow a point of least resistance which will develop short circuits. Embalming solution will be lost in the drainage.
Characteristics of Brain Purge:
Creamy-white, no odor, usually exits through the ears and/or nose though it can exit through the eyes also. More common in infant cases.. either way this is usually indicative of meningitis which is contagious.
Which of the following is NOT classified as a chemical change?: Decomposition, Desiccation, Change in pH, Rigor mortis
Desiccation: is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying.
The passage of arterial solution from the capillaries into the intercellular spaces is referred to as:
Diffusion
The movement of embalming solutions from the point of injection through the arteries, arterioles, cappilaries, venules and veins is called:
Distribution
The movement of embalming solutions from the point of injection throughout the arterial system and into the capillaries is called:
Distribution
The "Father of Embalming" was
Dr. Frederich Ruysch
The "Father of Embalming in the U.S." was:
Dr. Thomas Holmes
The individual who is credited with the discovery of the circulation of blood is:
Dr. William Harvey
Example of antemortem extravascular blood discolorations:
Ecchymosis (bruise, med. size hemorrhage) Petechia (pin point hemorrhages - usually due to chemo) Hematoma (tumor-like mass of lost blood)
Characteristics of Lung Purge:
Frothy-white, no odor, usually exits through the nose and/or mouth. Looks like a combo of gas and liquid. Bubbles.
Who established a method of embalming without evisceration?
Gabriel Clauderus
Chemicals that create an increased capability for embalmed tissues to retain their moisture are called:
Humectants
Another name for pleural effusion is:
Hydrothorax
The individual for whom "Hunters Canal" is name is:
John Hunter
The ulnar artery lies along the ____ border of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Lateral
Femoral Triangle
Lateral: Sartorius muscle Medial: Adductor longus muscle Superior: Inguinal ligament
Which of the following arteries begins at the level of the second costal cartilage? L Common Carotid, R Common Carotid, R Axillary, L Brachial
Left Common Carotid
Nicotine surface stain removers:
Lemon juice, household bleach
Ink surface stain removers:
Lemon juice, petroleum jelly
Posterior Tibial Artery
Linear Guide: Center of the popliteal space to a point midway between the medial malleolus (anklebone) and the calcaneus (heel bone). Incision: Midway between the medial malleolus and the calcaneal tendon to embalm the sole of the foot (the plantar surface)
Dorsalis Pedis Artery
Linear Guide: From the center of the anterior surface of the ankle joint to a point between the first & second digits. *a continuation of the anterior tibial artery at the level of the ankle joint. Incision: Along the superior 1/3 of the linear guide.
Brachial Artery
Linear Guide: From the center of the base of the axillary space to the center of the forearm just below the bend of the elbow. Anatomical Guide: posterior to the medial border of the belly of the biceps brachii muscle. Anatomical Limits: Inferior border of the tendon of the teres major muscle - terminates at the point just inferior to the antecubital fossa (shallow depression in front of elbow). Incision: Along the linear guide.
Anterior Tibial Artery
Linear Guide: From the lateral border of the patella (knee cap) to the anterior surface of the ankle joint. Incision: Along the lateral margin of the inferior 1/3 of the ridge of the tibia to embalm the toe nails & top of the foot.
Ulnar Artery
Linear Guide: On the surface of the forearm from the center of the antecubital fossa to a point between the 4th and 5th digits. Anatomical Guide: Lies lateral to the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle (lies between tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris & flexor digitorum superficialis) Incision: Linear guide at the wrist.
Femoral Artery
Linear Guide: On the surface of the thigh from the center of the inguinal ligament to the center point of the medial condyle of the femur. Anatomical Guide: Through the center of the femoral triangle bounded laterally by the sartorius & medially by the adductor longus muscle. Anatomical Limits: Begins at a point posterior to the center of the inguinal ligament & terminates at the opening of the adductor magnus muscle. Incision: Just inferior to the inguinal ligament
Radial Artery
Linear Guide: Surface of the forearm from the center of the antecubital fossa to the center of the base of the second digit. Anatomical Guide: Just lateral to the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis muscle - one of the 3 ventral muscles of the forearm. Incision: Along the linear guide at the area of the wrist.
