MEDT230 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Rigor Mortis, Petechia, Sclera

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Course: MEDT230
• Professor: Jarrett Earl

Document Summary

Virchow method organs are taken out one at a time. Rukitansky method organs are taken out in block formation (where all organs are attached) Autopsy can be done in some combination of the two methods. Factors in time of death: livor mortis, rigor mortis, algor mortis, decomposition, vitreous fluid changes, stomach contents, insect activity, scene marker (papers, letters, clothing, tv, etc. ) Petechiae pinpoint hemorrhages produced by rupture of small vessels (eye) Tache noire brown to black band of discolored sclera, where the eyes are partly opened and exposed to air (dried out) Cadaveric spasm instantaneous appearance of rigor mortis. Rigor mortis may be slower in emaciated (malnourished) individuals: onset in infants may be more rapid. True body temperature can be determined if: the body temperature at death was normal, body cooling follows a progressive repetitive pattern such that one project what the prior body temperature was and will be. Time since death 37c/98. 6f: rectal temp c+3/f+1. 5.