Cause of death
Cause of Death
Cause of death (pronunciation: /kɔːz ɒv dɛθ/) is a term used in medical and legal fields, referring to the specific reason that an individual has died.
Etymology
The term "cause of death" originates from the Latin words "causa" meaning "reason" and "mors" meaning "death".
Definition
In medical terms, the cause of death is the disease or injury that initiated the train of events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced the fatal injury. In legal terms, it is the specific reason that an individual has died, which may be recorded on a death certificate.
Related Terms
- Manner of death: The way in which death has occurred, such as natural causes, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined.
- Immediate cause of death: The final disease, injury, or complication directly causing death.
- Underlying cause of death: The disease or injury that initiated the chain of events leading directly and inevitably to death.
- Proximate cause of death: The original, primary or precipitating cause of death.
- Mechanism of death: The altered physiology by which disease produces death.
Categories of Cause of Death
There are three main categories of causes of death:
- Natural causes: This is when the death is a result of the natural aging process or disease. Examples include heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
- Accidental causes: This is when the death is a result of an accident, such as a car crash or a fall.
- Intentional causes: This is when the death is a result of intentional harm, such as suicide or homicide.
Importance
Determining the cause of death is important for several reasons. It helps in understanding the health of a population and in planning public health initiatives. It is also crucial in legal investigations and proceedings.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cause of death
- Wikipedia's article - Cause of death
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