Embalming and Mortuary Chemistry Flashcards

A body that has been refrigerated for 10 days presents with skin slip and superficial decomposition. What is the embalmer's PRIMARY concern regarding fluid selection?

Answer: Using a high-index fluid with added humectant and special-purpose hardening fluid

Advanced decomposition with skin slip requires a higher formaldehyde index to achieve adequate fixation, with humectant to prevent desiccation and specialized hardeners for softened tissue.

What chemical change causes postmortem staining (liver mortis) to become fixed and no longer shift with body position?

Answer: Red blood cells lyse, releasing hemoglobin that diffuses into surrounding tissue and forms hemosiderin

After red blood cell hemolysis, free hemoglobin diffuses into surrounding tissue and is oxidized to form stable hemosiderin deposits, permanently fixing discoloration.

What is the chemical basis for using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) as a surface disinfectant in the preparation room?

Answer: It denatures proteins through strong alkalinity and oxidative chlorine release

Hypochlorite disinfects via strong oxidation from free chlorine, which oxidizes bacterial proteins and enzymes, while its high alkalinity further disrupts microbial membranes.

During arterial embalming of an obese body, which problem is most commonly encountered due to the anatomical and chemical characteristics of adipose tissue?

Answer: Poor fluid distribution because fat tissue is poorly vascularized

Adipose tissue has a sparse capillary network, so arterial fluid distributed through blood vessels cannot reach deep fat deposits, leaving them poorly preserved.

Which of the following describes the pH range considered optimal for most arterial embalming fluids?

Answer: pH 6.5–7.5 (near neutral to slightly acidic)

Arterial fluids are formulated near physiologic pH (6.5–7.5) to minimize tissue damage, optimize distribution through intact vessels, and balance fixation rate.

What role does phenol play when used as a supplemental embalming chemical?

Answer: Phenol is a caustic protein precipitant that destroys tissue on contact, used for bleaching and hardening discolored or decomposed tissue

Phenol is a caustic chemical that precipitates proteins and has bleaching properties, used carefully on decomposed, discolored, or gangrenous tissue to harden and deodorize it.

During the saponification process in decomposition, fatty acids react with which mineral ions to form adipocere (grave wax)?

Answer: Calcium, magnesium, or sodium ions

Fatty acids released during decomposition react with calcium, magnesium, or sodium ions in tissue fluids or soil to form the soap-like compound adipocere.