Lesson 4.1 - Discolorations

Jaundice

Condition characterized by excessive concentrations of bilirubin in the skin and tissues and deposition of excessive bile pigment in the skin, cornea, body fluids, and mucous membranes with the resulting yellow appearance of the patient.

Dry Gangrene

Condition that results when the body part that dies had little blood and remains aseptic; the arteries (but not the veins) are obstructed.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells that liberates the red pigment called heme; also, the process of plasmoptysis when applied to a red blood cell.

Blister

Elevation of the epidermis containing a water liquid.

Instant Tissue Fixation (Head Freeze)

Embalming technique that uses a very strong arterial solution (often waterless); the solution is injected under high pressure in spurts into a body area; very little solution is injected as the technique attempts to limit swelling; effective in cases with facial trauma or decomposition.

Exsanguination

Excessive blood loss to the point of death.

Ecchymosis

Extravasation of blood into a tissue; a bruise.

Postmortem Stain

Extravascular color change that occurs when heme, release by hemolysis of red blood cells, seeps through the vessel walls and into the body tissues.

Hypostasis

Settling of blood and/or other fluids to dependent portions of the body.

Desquamation (skin slip)

Sloughing off of the epidermis, wherein there is a separation of the epidermis from the underlying dermis.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

Biliverdin

A green pigment created by the oxidation of bilirubin; can occur when formaldehyde reacts with bilirubin and can cause a generalized permanent free discoloration of the skin.

Marbling

A greenish-black coloration along the vessels (veins) produced by hemolysis of the blood in the vessels; hemoglobin mixes with hydrogen sulfide to produce the discoloration observed on these skin when decomposition is present.

Formaldehyde Burn

A raised, rash-like appearance caused when embalming fluid escapes directly into tissues through broken capillaries; common in cases of delayed embalming.

Exanthema

A skin rash accompanying disease or fever.

Hematoma

A swelling or mass of clotted blood confined to an organ or space caused by a ruptured blood vessel.

Bilirubin

A yellow bile pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of hemoglobin; excreted in the bile.

Discoloration

Any abnormal color in or upon the human body.

Lesion

Any change in structure produced during the course of a disease or injury.

Abrasion

Ante-mortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm object resulting in the removal of the epidermis; i.e., "skin rubbed off".

Petechia

Ante-mortem, pin-point, extravascular blood discoloration visible as purplish hemorrhages of the skin.

Formaldehyde Gray

Gray discoloration of the body caused by the reaction of formaldehyde from the embalming process with hemoglobin in the blood to form methyl-hemoglobin; can occur as a result of poor drainage.

Waterless Embalming

Injection of arterial solution composed of a preservative fluid which is diluted with supplemental chemicals such as humectants, water conditioners, and other co-injection fluids (instead of water).

Purpura

Purplish discoloration of the tissues due to widespread hemorrhage into the skin or mucous membranes.

Tardieu Spots

Minute petechial hemorrhages caused by the rupture of minute vessels as blood settles into the dependent areas of organs and tissues (i.e. hypostasis); found in areas of advanced livor mortis.

Gangrene

Necrosis, death, of tissues of part of the body usually due to deficient or absent blood supply.

Wet Gangrene

Necrotic tissue that is moist as a result of inadequate venous drainage; may be accompanied by bacterial infection.

Death Pallor

Paleness of the skin that occurs after death.

Livor Mortis

Postmortem, intravascular, red-blue discoloration resulting from hypostasis of blood.

Decubitus Ulcer

The technical term for a bedsore; a sore developed by a invalid due to pressure caused by lying in bed in one position; the weight of the body causes a lack of blood flow to that area.