Trinity University of Asia

Histopathology semi-finals
Autopsy Branch of Anatomic Pathology
that deals with the complete medical
examination of the body after death
Post Mortem examination it is a medical
condition practiced since ancient times to
analyze organic alterations caused by
disease or trauma.
Autopsia (cadaverum) seeing with ones
own eye
Main goal of Autopsy to identify the
cause of death and to improve medical
science.
Other values of autopsy
-diagnosis and treatment quality control
-source of accurate epidemiologic data
-material for medical residents, students and
staff learning.
-material for scientific research
-monitor changes in disease pattern
Declining autopsy rate because of
higher diagnostic confidence made possible
by advances in imaging techniques e.g. CT
scan, MRI
*2 types of stroke Infarct, hemorrhage
secondary to aneurism
*Amniotic embolism coma, collapse
*Autohemorrhagic pancreatitis bangungot,
overloading of pancreas
Pre-autopsy requirements
-a consent for the autopsy should be
obtained first from the nearest kin.
-included in the consent form are at least 3
witnesses (4-by the book) signatures that
are not close relatives to the patient.
-the procedures should be explained fully
and clear enough to be understood by the
relatives before seeking consent.
-in medicolegal cases, deaths with
questionable circumstances, a medicolegal
officer or an appropriate agency like the NBI
or PNP is consulted.
-Relatives of the patient are not supposed to
be in the autopsy room during the procedure.
-to obtain as much history and laboratory
data as possible about the diseased.
General system or procedure of the
autopsy
-Relatives of the patient are not supposed to
be in the autopsy room during the procedure.
-Autopsy proper and acquisition of specimen
for microscopic examination.
-Microscopic examination.
-Releasing of report.
*Preliminary autopsy reports gross

examination, weight, measurement of organs

done within 24 hours
*Final autopsy report final diagnosis
Extent of autopsy
Partial autopsy specific body component is
only involved e.g. head only, thorax only
Complete (Full) autopsy assessment of the
body as regard to age, sex, race, physique
and nutrition.
-external examination including injuries
(recent/old) if any.
*Incision to cut open
*Excision To cut off
Incision for autopsy
The Y incision embalmed (skin only,
thoracic cage is sawed off from the sides)
(clavicle to pubis)

For the head

The I incision - *straight line incision

extending from the chin to the symphysis
pubis
Chin
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Pubis
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Evisceration Techniques acquisition of

organs
-En masse (Letulle)
-En bloc (Ghon)
-Individual organs (Virchow)
-In situ (Rokitansky)
En masse (Letulle)
-Bulky single aggregate of organs removed
en masse and transferred to the dissecting
table for further dissection
En bloc (Ghon) used commonly in
European countries
Thoracic block lungs, heart, trachea,
esophagus
Intestinal block stomach, spleen, liver, etc.
Urogenital block
Neurological block (if needed)
Individual organs (Virchow)
-removed sequentially one by one
-isolated and dissected immediately after
removal
In situ (Rokitansky)
-Body is cut open in the usual fashion
-Cavities and organs are thoroughly
inspected
-Fluids are collected if needed
-Organs are dissected while still inside the
body
-Organ removal is optional
Gross examination
-tongue, thyroid, esophagus, larynx and
other neck structures
-Lungs

-Heart weigh after removal of blood from

chambers
-Stomach, gallbladder, and ampulla of Vater
*(hepatopancreatic ampulla,or as
hepatopancreatic duct)
-Adrenal glands
-Spleen
-Kidney
-Urinary bladder and other pelvic organs
-Liver
-Brain best examined after fixation
Organ weight
-Right lung 300-400g
-Left lung 250-350g
-Heart 250-300g
-Liver 1,100-1,600g
-Adrenals 4g or so each
-Thyroid 10-50g
-Spleen 60-300g
-Brain 1,150-1,450g
Autopsy report
-permission for autopsy
-data pertaining to the diseased:
Name
Age
Sex
Address
Serial # of autopsy
Date of admission
Time of death
Clinical history
Laboratory data including radiological
findings
Operative procedures
Clinical diagnosis
-data pertaining to the pathologist
Autopsy #
Date and time of autopsy
Name of prosector (in charge of
autopsy)
Initial gross autopsy findings: weights
and measurements of organs, gross
autopsy diagnosis
-post mortem findings:
External examination
Internal examination
Pathologic examination
-Final autopsy diagnosis conclusion of
pathologic findings of autopsy
-cause of death final comment on the
cause of death
Special considerations
-severe atheroma (75%) is required before it
is said to be the cause of death

*atheroma fatty degeneration of the inner

coat of the arteries, an abnormal fatty
deposit in an artery

-The heaviest organs Liver, brain

-Lung sinking in a pan of water indicates
drowning or severe edema