Post-mortem

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Post-mortem

Post-mortem (pronunciation: /poʊstˈmɔːrtəm/), also known as an autopsy, is a detailed examination of a body after death to determine the cause and manner of death or to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. It is usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist.

Etymology

The term "post-mortem" is derived from the Latin words "post", meaning "after", and "mors", meaning "death". Thus, it literally translates to "after death".

Procedure

A post-mortem usually involves three stages: external examination, internal examination, and histological examination. The external examination involves a broad overview of the condition of the body and the identification of any external injuries. The internal examination involves the dissection and examination of internal organs for any signs of disease or injury. The histological examination involves the examination of tissue samples under a microscope.

Related Terms

  • Forensic pathology: The branch of pathology that deals with the investigation of deaths where there are legal implications, such as homicide or suicide.
  • Histopathology: The study of changes in tissues caused by disease.
  • Necropsy: Another term for post-mortem, often used in veterinary medicine.
  • Toxicology: The study of the effects of chemicals on living organisms, often used in post-mortem to determine the presence of toxins or drugs.

See Also

External links

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