|
.
Articles » Medical Examiner
Autopsy Procedure
Jay Stahl-Herz
The routine medical autopsy follows a set procedure to ensure the proper examination of a corpse. Before the autopsy can begin, several steps must be taken. The body must be measured and weighed and placed on an autopsy table. The autopsy table is a waist-high aluminum fixture that is plumbed for running water and has several faucets and spigots to facilitate washing away all the blood that is released during the procedure. The autopsy table is a slanted tray (for drainage) with raised edges (to keep blood and fluids from flowing onto the floor). After the body is positioned, the pathologist places a "body block" under the patient's back which causes the chest to protrude outward and the arms and neck to fall back, thus allowing the maximum exposure of the torso for the incisions to be made.
The first cut known as the "Y" incision is made. The arms of the Y extend from the front of each shoulder to the bottom end of the breastbone. The tail of the Y extends from the sternum to the pubic bone and typically deviates to avoid the navel. The incision is very deep, extending to the rib cage on the chest, and completely through the abdominal wall below that. The skin from this cut is peeled back, with the top flap pulled over the face. The ribs are then sawed off to expose the organs.
Before all the organs are exposed, the pericardial sac (pectorals) and the abdominal muscle in the chest must be cut open and removed. This will expose the organs underneath. The most common way to remove the organs is known as the Rokitansky method. Organs are removed by cutting off their connections to the body. The organs in the GI tract are usually removed as one until further analysis is done. It is at this time that the brain is removed. A lateral incision is made in the brain, cutting the connection from the base of the brain to the spinal chord. The brain must then placed in a 10% solution of formaldehyde to preserve it for analysis in the near future since it cannot be studied in its present state.
All removed organs are weighed and studied individually. Most organs are cut up in sections like a loaf of bread with a "bread knife" (a blade 12"-18" long and extremely sharp) or a scissors. Intestines are drained in a sink to remove undigested food and fecal matter that remains. The stomach is cut open on its greater curvature and the contents are examined. Microscopic samples of most organs are taken for further analysis. Finally, all major blood vessels are cut open and examined lengthwise.
When concluding an autopsy, the body must be sewn up again. The stitching used to do this is the same stitching as on a baseball. First, the head is sewn up without the brain. The organs can be replaced in the body or the body can be filled with a filler material before it is sewn up again. Once the Y incision is sewn up, the autopsy (without brain and tissue analysis) is complete.
|
Autopsy
- A Screenwriter's Guide
|
