CMT Anatomy & Pathology for Mortuary Technicians 2

Question 1

Which condition results in a soap-like transformation of body fat after prolonged burial in moist conditions?

Accepted Answer

Adipocere

Answer

Adipocere is a grave wax or soap-like substance formed when body fat undergoes saponification in moist, anaerobic burial conditions.

Question 2

What is the role of the jugular vein during embalming?

Accepted Answer

It serves as the primary drainage vessel from the head

Answer

The jugular vein drains blood from the head during the arterial embalming process when the carotid artery is used for injection.

Question 3

A deceased person with jaundice will present with which skin discoloration requiring special cosmetic attention?

Accepted Answer

Yellow-green skin tone

Answer

Jaundice causes bilirubin accumulation in tissues, resulting in a yellow-green skin tone that requires specialized cosmetic correction.

Question 4

Which postmortem change refers to the cooling of the body to ambient temperature after death?

Accepted Answer

Algor mortis

Answer

Algor mortis is the gradual cooling of a body to the surrounding environmental temperature following death.

Question 5

In mortuary pathology, what does 'ecchymosis' describe?

Accepted Answer

Bruising caused by subcutaneous hemorrhage

Answer

Ecchymosis refers to bruising resulting from blood leaking into subcutaneous tissues due to trauma or vascular damage.

(CMT) Certified Mortuary Technician Practice Test