| A | B |
|---|
| accessory chemical | group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity embalming fluid |
| actual pressure | pressure indicated by the injector guage needle when arterial tube is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body |
| aerobic | in the presence of oxygen |
| algonal algor | decrease in body temp immediately before death |
| agonal coagulation | a change from a fluid into a thickened mass |
| agonal dehydration | loss of moisture from the living body during the agonal state |
| agonal edema | escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location immediately before death |
| agonal fever | increase in body temperature immediately before death |
| agonal period | period immediately before somatic death |
| algor mortis | post mortem cooling of the body to the surrounding temperature |
| alternate drainage | method of injection-drainage in which embalming solution is injected and the injection is stopped while drainage is open |
| anaerobic | in the absence of oxygen |
| anatomical guide | descriptive guide for locating arteries and veins by means of anatomical structures which are known |
| anatomical limits | points of origin and points of termination in relation to adjacent structures; used to designate the boundaries of arteries |
| aneurysm | localized abnormal dilation or outpocketing of a blood vessel resulting from a congenital defect or weakness of the vessel wall |
| aneurysm hook | embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels |
| aneurysm needle | embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels, which has an eye in the hook portion of the instrument for placing ligatures around the vessels |
| anomalies | deviation from the normal |
| antemortem | before death |
| anticoagulant fluid | ingredient of embalming fluid that retards the natural post mortem tendency of blood to become viscous or prevents adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals |
| arterial (vascular) fluid | concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that will be diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming |
| arterial solution | mixture of arterial (vascular) fluid and water which is used for ther arterial injection and may include supplemental fluids |
| arterial tube | tube used to inject embalming fluid into the blood vascular system |
| aspiration | withdrawal of gas, fluids and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by means of suction with an aspirator and a trocar |
| autolysis | self-destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance |
| base of the axillary space | armpit |
| biological death | irreversible somatic death |
| bleaching agent | chemical which lightens a skins discoloration |
| blood discoloration | discolorations resulting from changes in blood composition content, or location, either intravascularly or extravascularly |
| blood vascular system | circulatory network composed of the heart, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins |
| bulb syringe | self-contained, soft rubber manual pump designed to create pressure to deliver fluid as it passes through one-way valves located within the bulb |
| buffers | embalming chemical which affects the stabilization of the acid-base (ph) balance within embalming solutions and in the embalmed tissues |
| calvarium | dome-like superior portion of the cranium; that portion removed during cranial autopsy |
| calvarium clamp | device used as a means of fastening the calvarium after a cranial autopsy |
| cavity embalming | direct treatment, other than vascular injection, of the contents of the body cavity and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and injection |
| cavity fluid | embalming chemicals which are injected into the cavities of the body following the aspiration in cavity embalming |
| center of fluid distribution | ascending an/or arch of the aorta |
| center of venous drainage | right atrium of the heart |
| centrifugal force machine | embalming machine that uses an electrical pump to create pressure either pulsating or non-pulsating |
| clinical death | phase of somatic death lasting from 5-6 minutes in which life may be restored |
| coagulating agents | chemical and physical agents that bring about coagulation |
| coagulation | process of converting soluble protein to insoluble protein by heating or contact with a chemical such as alcohol or an aldehyde, solidification of a sol into a gelatinous mass |
| coinjection fluid | fluid used primarily to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) solutions |
| concurrent disinfection | disinfection practices carried out during the embalming process |
| concurrent drainage | method of drainage in which drainage occurs continuously during vascular (arterial) injection |
| corpulence | (obesity) having an abnormal amout of fat on the body |
| cosmetic fluid | embalming fluid that contains dyes and coloring agents intended to restore a more natural skintone through the embalming process |
| cribform plate | thin medial portion of the ethmoid bone of the skull |
| death struggle | semi-convulsive twitches which often occur before death |
| desiccation | process of drying out |
| desquamation / skin slip | sloughing off of the epidermis, where there is a separation of the epidermis from the underlying dermis |
| differential pressure | difference between potential and actual pressure |
| diffusion | passage of some components of the injected embalming solution from an intravascular to an extravascular location; movement of the embalming solutions from the capillaries into the interstitial fluids |
| discoloration | any abnormal color in or upon the human body |
| distribution (fluid) | movement of solutions from the point of injection throughout the arterial system/into the capillaries |
| drain tube | tubular instrument of varying diameter and shape, preferably with a plunger, that is inserted into a vein to aid in drainage of blood and to restrict the exit of vascular embalming fluid |
| drainage | discharge or withdrawal of blood, interstitial fluid and embalming fluids from the body during vascular embalming, usually removed through a vein of the body |
| dye coloring agent | substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definate color to the embalming fluid |
| electric aspirator | device that uses a motor to create a suction for the purpose of aspiration |
| electric spatula | electrically heated blade which may be used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue and restore contour |
| embalming | process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganism, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and restore an acceptable physical appearance |
| embalming analysis (case analysis) | consideration given to the dead body prior to, during and after the embalming procedure is completed; documentation is recommended |
| excision | to remove as by cutting out; the area from which something has been cut out |
| extrinsic | from outside the body |
| fatty acids | product of decomposition of fats |
| fermentation | bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates |
| gravity filtration | extravascular movement of preservative fluids by gravitational force to the dependent areas of the body |
| gravity injector | apparatus used to inject arterial fluid during the vascular (arterial) phase of the embalming process; relies on gravity to create the pressure required to deliver fluid |
| groove director | instrument used to guide vein tubes into vessels |
| hand pump | historical instrument resembling a large hypodermic syringe attached to a bottle apparatus; used to create either pressure for injection or vacuum for aspiration |
| heme | non-protein portion of hemoglobin; the red pigment of hemoglobin |
| hemolysis | destruction of red blood cells that liberate hemoglobin |
| high preservation demand fluids | special vascular (arterial) fluid with a formaldehyde content of 25 - 36% |
| humectant | chemical that increases the ability of embalmed tissue to retain moisture |
| hydroaspirator | apparatus that is connected to the water supply; when the water is turned on a suction is developed and is used to aspirate the contents of the body's cavities |
| hydrocele | abnormal accumulation of fluids in a saclike structure, especially the scrotal sac |
| hypertonic solution | solution having a greater concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared |
| hypodermic embalming | injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or a trocar |
| hypostasis | settling of blood and/or other fluids to dependent portions of the body |
| hypotonic solution | solution having a lesser concentration of dissolved solute than the solution to which it is compared |
| index | strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of water |
| injection | act or instance of forcing a fluid into the vascular system or directly into tissues |
| injection pressure | amount of pressure produced by an injection device to overcome initial resistance within (intravascular) or on (extravascular) the vascular system (areterial or venous) |
| intermittent drainage (restricted drainage) | method of drainage in which the drainage is stopped at intervals while the injection continues |
| intravascular blood discoloration | discoloration of the body within the blood vascular system; for example, hypostasis, carbon monoxide and capillary congestion |
| intravascular fluid | fluid contained within the vascular channels (about 1/20th of the body weight) |
| intrinsic | from within the body |
| isotonic solution | solution having an equal concentration of dissolved solute to that of a standard reference |
| jaundice fluid | special vascular fluid with special bleaching and coloring qualities for use on bodies with jaundice; usually low formaldehyde content |
| lesion | any change in structure produced during the course of a disease or injury |
| ligate | to tie off an artery and vein upon completion of embalming |
| linear guide | a line drawn or visualized on the surface of the skin to represent the approximate location of some deeper-lying structure |
| lipolysis | decomposition of fats |
| livor mortis / cadaveric lividity | postmortem, intravascular, red-blue discoloration resulting from hypostasis of blood |
| lumen | the cavity or opening of a vein, artery, or intestine |
| mandibular suture | method of mouth closure in which a suture is passed through the septum of the nose and around the mandible |
| massage | manipulation of tissue in the course of preparation of the body |
| modifying agents | chemicals added to the embalming solution to deal with varying demands predicated upon the type of embalming, the environment and the embalming fluid to be used |
| moribund | in a dying state; in the agonal period |
| multiple-site injection (multipoint) | vascular injection from two or more arteries |
| musculature suture | method of mouth closure in which a suture is passed through the septum of the nose and throught the mentalis muscle of the chin |
| nasal cavity | space between the roof of the mouth and the floor of the cranial cavity |
| nasal tube aspirator | embalming instrument used to aspirate the throat by means of the nostrils |
| necrobiosis | antemortem, physiological death of the cells of the body followed by their replacement |
| needle injector | a mechanical device used to impel specially designed metal pins into bone |
| non-cosmetic fluid | a type of arterial fluid which contains inactive dyes that will not impart a color change upon the body tissues of the deceased |
| one point injection | injection and drainage from one location |
| osmosis | passage of solvent from a solution of lesser to one of greater solute concentration when the two solutions are separated by a semipermeable membrane |
| packing forceps | embalming instrument used in filling the external orifices of the body |
| parallel incision | incision on the surface of the skin to raise the common carotid arteries, made along the posterior border of the inferior one-third of ther sternocleidomastoid muscle |
| pathological discoloration | antemortem discoloration that occur during the course diseases; gangrene and juandice |
| perfuming agents (masking agents) | chemicals found in embalming arterial formulations having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one |
| postmortem physical changes | change in the form or state of matter whithout any change in chemical composition |
| postmortem stain | extravascular color change that occurs when heme, released by hemolysis of red blood cells, seeps through the vessel walls and into the body tissues |
| potential presure | pressure indicated by the injector guage needle when the injector motor is running and the arterial tubing is clamped off |
| preinjection fluid | fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and the body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular (arterial) solution; this solution is injected before the preservative vascular solution is injected |
| preservative demand | amount of preservative (HCHO) required to effectively preserve and disinfect remainns; depends on the condition of the tissues as determined in the embalming analysis |
| preservative powder | chemical in powder form; typically used for surface embalming of the remains |
| pressure | action of a force against an opposing force (a force applied or acting against resistance) |
| actual pressure | pressure which is indicated by the injector guage needle when the arterial tube is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body |
| differential pressure | difference between potential and actual pressure |
| injection pressure | amount of pressure produced by an injection device to overcome initial resistance within (intravascular) or on (extravascular) the vascular system (arterial or venous) |
| intravascular pressure | pressure developed as the flow of embalming solution is established and the elastic walls expand and then contract, resulting in filling of the capillary beds and developement of pressure filtration |
| potential pressure | the pressure indicated by the injector guage needle when the injector motor is running and the arterial tubing is clamped off |
| pressure filtration | positive intravascular pressure causing passage of embalming fluid through the capillary wall to difuse withe the interstitial fluids; causing passage of embalming fluid from an intravascular to an extravascular position |
| primary disinfection | disinfection carried out prior to the embalming process |
| prognathism | projection of the jaw or jaws that may cause problems with mouth closure and alignment of the teeth |
| proteolysis | decomposition of proteins |
| putrefaction | decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria |
| rate of flow | speed at which fluid is injected; measured in ounces per minute |
| razor burn (razor abrasion) | a mark of dessication |
| reaspiration | repeated aspiration of a cavity |
| reducing agent | substance that easily looses electrons and there-by causes other substances to be reduced |
| restricted drainage | intermittent or alternate injection and drainage |
| restorative fluid (humectant) | supplemental fluid, used with the regular arterial solution, whose purpose is to retain body moisture and retard dehydration |
| restricted cervical injection | method of injection wherein both common carotid arteries are raised |
| sealing agent | material used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood |
| secondary dilution | weakening of the embalming fluid by the fluids in the body, both vascular and interstitial |
| sign of death | manifestation of death in the body |
| solute | the substance that is dissolved in a solution |
| solution | liquid containing dissolved substances |
| somatic death | death of the organism as a whole |
| split injection | injection from one site and drainage from a separate site |
| superior | anatomically towards the head |
| supplemental fluid | fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection |
| surface compress | cloth, wet or dry, folded and applied firmly to a body part |
| surface embalming | the direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals |
| surface discoloration | a discoloration due to the deposit of matter on the skin surface |
| surface pack | an absorbent material, compress, saturated with an embalming chemical and placed in direct contact with the tissue |
| terminal disinfection | institution of disinfection and decontamination measures after the preparation of the remains |
| topical disinfection | disinfection of the surface of the body or an object |
| transverse | lying at right angles to the long axis of the body |
| trocar guide | a line drawn or visualized on the surface of the body or prominent anatomic structure used to locate internal structures during cavity embalming, from a point of reference 2" to the left of and 2" superior the the umbilicus |
| vehicle | liquids that serve as a solvent for the numerous ingredients that are incorporated into embalming fluids |
| viscosity | the resistance to the flow of a liquid; the thickness of a liquid |
| sanitation | process to promote and establish conditions which minimalize or eleminate biohazards |
| contagious disease | disease that may be transmitted between individuals, with reference to the organism that causes a disease |
| postmortem | period that begins after somatic death |
| extravascular blood discoloration | discoloration of the body outside the blood vascular system, for example, eccymosis, petechia, hematoma and postmortem stain |
| positioning devices | preparation room equipment for properly positioning bodies prior to, during, and after vascular embalming |
| water conditioner | a complexing agent to remove chemical constituents from water supplies |
| lateral | away from the midline |
| medial | toward the midline |
| cadaveric spasm | a prolongation of the last violent contraction of the muscles into the rigidity of death |
| fixation | the act of making tussue rigid; the solidification of a compound |
| coverall | plastic garment designed to cover the body from the chest down to the upper thigh |
| postmortem calorcity | the rise in temperature after death due to continued cellular metabolism |
| expert tests of death | any procedure used to prove a sign of death, usually performed by medical personel |
| disease | any deviation from or interuption of the normal structure or function of a body part, organ or system |
| nephritis | inflamation of the kidneys |
| drench shower | OSHA required safety device for a release of a copious amount of water in a short time |
| superficial | towards the surface |
| petechia | antemortem, pinpoint, extravascular blood discoloration visible as purplish hemorrhages of the skin |
| biohazard | biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans |
| laceration | wound characterized by irregular tearing of tissue |
| blood | tissue that circulates through the vascular system and is composed of approximately 22% solids and 78% water |
| rigor mortis | postmortem stiffening of the body muscles by natural body processes |
| cellular death | death of the individual cells of the body |
| coma | the irreversible cessation of brain activity and loss of consciousness; death beginning at the brain |
| trauma | a physical injury or wound caused by external force or violence |
| oral cavity | the mouth and the vestibule, or the opening to the throat |
| palpate | to examine by touch |
| disinfectant | an agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects/surfaces to destroy disease-causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores |
| anatomical position | the body is erect, feet together, palms facing forward, and thumbs are pointed away from the body |
| abrasion | antemortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm object resulting in the removal of the epidermis |
| scalpel | a two piece embalming instrument consisting of a handle and a blade used to make incisions and excisions |
| hematoma | a swelling or mass of clotted blood confined to an organ or space caused by a ruptured blood vessel |
| death rattle | noise made by a moribund person caused by air passing through a residue of mucous in the trachea and posterior oral cavity |
| decay | decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria |
| abut | to touch or contact as with the tarsal plates of the closed eyelids |
| anterior | toward the front |
| autopsy | a postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological condition; a necropsy |
| adipocere (grave wax) | soft, white crumbly or greasy material that forms upon the postmortem hydrolysis and hydrogenation of body fats |
| bloodborne pathogens | pathogenic micro-organisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans; there pathogens include, but are not limited to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) |
| medical examiner | an official elected or appointed to investigate suspicious or unnatural deaths |
| cadaver | dead human body used for medical purposes; including transplantation, anatomical dissection and study |
| mid-axillary line | a verticle line drawn from the center of the medial border of the base of the axillary space |
| trocar button | a plastic threaded screw like device for sealing puctures and small round trocar openings |
| posterior | toward the back |
| trocar | sharply pointed surgical instrument used in cavity embalming to aspirate the cavities and inject cavity fluid |
| formaldehyde / HCHO | colorless, strong-smelling gas that when used in solution is a pewerful preservative and disinfectant; a potential occupational carcinogen |
| mouth former | a device used in the mouth in shaping the countour of the lips |
| intravascular | within the blood vascular system |
| sharps container | OSHA required recepticle for proper disposal of sharps |
| human remains | body of a deceased person, including cremated remains |
| purge | postmortem evacuation of any substance from an external orifice of the body as a result of pressure |
| eye enucleation | removal of the eye for tissue transplantation, research and education |
| cranial embalming | method used to embalm the contents of the cranial cavity throught the aspiration and injection of the cranial chamber by passage of a trocar through the cribform plate |
| water hardness | quality of water containing certain substances, especially soluble salts of calcium and magnesium |
| preparation room | that area or facility wherin embalming, dressing, cosmetizing, or other body preparation are effected |
| conjuctiva | mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white portion of the eye |
| contaminated | the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface |
| coroner | an official of a local community who holds inquests concerning sudden, violent, and unexplained deaths |
| unionall | plastic garment designed to cover the entire body from the chest down to and including the feet |
| eye enucleation discoloration | extravasion of blood as a result of eye enucleation |
| instantaneous rigor mortis | the immediate stiffening of the muscles of a dead human body |
| infant | a child less than 1 year of age |
| intercellular | between the cells of a structure |
| incision | a clean cut made with a sharp instrument; in embalming, a cut made with a scalpel to raise arteries and veins |
| decomposition | separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes |
| digits | anatomical term describing fingers and toes; the thumb is #1 for each hand and the large toe is #1 for each foot |
| eyecap | a thin plastic dome-shaped disk used to restore contour just beneath the eyelids; an aid in eye closure |
| firming | rigidity of tissue due to chemical reaction |
| disinfection | the destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body |
| ecchymosis | extravasion of blood into a tissue; a bruise |
| edema | abnormal accumulation of fluids in tissue or body cavities |
| extravascular | outside the blood vascular system |
| test of death | any procedure used to prove a sign of death |
| gangrene | necrosis, death of tissues of part of the body usually due to deficient or absent blood supply |
| cremated remains | those elements remaining after cremation of a dead human body |
| death | irreversible cessation of all vital functions |
| inferior | from a given reference toward the feet |
| restoration | treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color |
| thanatology | study of death |
| head rest | piece of equipment used to maintain the head in the proper position during the embalming process |
