UNDERSTANDING DEATH

Objective

ACTION: Identify the variances of the 3 stages of death.

CONDITIONS: Given the lecture and class notes.

STANDARD: Identification will include the variances of the 3 stages and the 8 signs of death.

A Definition of Death

Death is the total cessation or extinction of life as manifested by the absence of heartbeat and respiration. The absence of metabolism and the total lack of irritability characterize it. It is the cessation of all vital functions without capability of resuscitation. Biologically, the death of any living organism is viewed as the “inevitable and critical moment when an organism ceases to function as a specific, unified, homeostatic system and becomes disorganized into a mere collection of chemical substance.

Somatic Death

SOMATIC DEATH: The death of an organism as a whole – it’s complete loss of ability to function as an organized creature. It is death beginning with of the three vital organs – sometimes called the Tripod of Life.

LUNGS

HEART

BRAIN

=

LIFE

Tripod of Life

Somatic Death - Con’t

Three (3) Stages of Somatic Death

Clinical Death

Biological or Irrevocable Death

Cellular Death

Clinical Death

Clinical Death:

• Sometimes referred to as “LEGAL DEATH”

• Marked by cessation of cardiac and respiratory activity.

•The period of clinical death is very brief, lasting not more than five or six minutes.

Biological or Irrevocable Death

BIOLOGICAL or IRREVOCABLE DEATH:

• All tissues and organs have undergone irreversible changes

• Restoration of life is impossible.

• Highly specialized cells are dead and the more resistant cells are dying

• The muscles will still respond to clinical or electrical stimulation.

Cellular Death

CELLULAR DEATH:

• The final cause of death is oxygen starvation of the tissue cells when blood ceases to circulate.

• One to four hours elapses between the onset of somatic death and the death of the individual cells.

• The more highly organized cells and tissues die most rapidly.

Signs of Death

• After somatic death certain changes in body appearance, composition, and reaction occur.

• These signs are collectively labeled as Post Mortem changes.

• Signs by which we may recognize its presence in the body.

• The signs include any unusual appearances of the body which denote that life is extinct.

Signs of Death (con’t)

• The only single reliable sign of death is general putrefaction.

• All other signs must be observed in a combination of two or more to establish the certainty of death.

• There are eight (8) commonly observed signs of death…

Signs of Death (Con’t)

1. Cessation of respiration and circulation - Breathing and blood circulation may become slow and shallow.

2. Algor Mortis - The Post Mortem adjustment of body temperature to that of the surrounding medium.

3. Rigor Mortis - (cadaveric rigidity) The temporary stiffening of the voluntary and involuntary muscles as the result of chemical changes in the dead body.

4. Changes in the Eye – The most apparent are the sinking and flattening of the eyeball.

5. Dehydration – As water evaporates from the skin and the fatty tissue immediately beneath it, the skin loses it’s elasticity and may be wrinkled.

6. Saponification – The conversion of the fatty tissue of the body into a soapy, waxy substance called adipocere or graves wax.

7. Mummification – This is the complete mummification of the body. It occurs when the body is kept in a very dry atmosphere at a temperature that is consistently above or below that favorable for bacterial growth.

Signs of Death (Con’t)

8. Decomposition – The final Post Mortem change is decomposition. This is a reduction of the complex body substances and structures to their component elements.

Signs of Death (Con’t)

Rumors and Death

Rumors and Death

What rumors have you heard?

????

Death – a pictorial display

Warning!!!

You are about to view pictures of various stages of death. Some are very graphic and contain nudity .

If you think you are unable to view the photos or become very uncomfortable –

Please notify your instructor now!

Are there any questions before we begin……

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Death – a pictorial display

Questions???

Check on Learning

Question 1: Name one of the three stages of death.

Answer: 1- Clinical Death. 2 – Biological or Irrevocable Death. 3 – Cellular Death.

Check on Learning

Question 2: What are the three areas of the “Tripod of Life”?

Answer: The Heart, Brain, and Lungs

Summary

a. Definition of death 

b. Somatic death 

c. 3 Stages of Somatic death

d. Signs of death

e. Rumors and Death

Check on Learning

Answer: The final Post Mortem change is decomposition. This is a reduction of the complex body substances and structures to their component elements.

Question: What is Rigor Mortis?

Answer: The temporary stiffening of the voluntary and involuntary muscles as the result of chemical changes in the dead body.

Question: Define decomposition?