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Concept
Autopsy
Summary
An autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death; or the exam may be performed to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present for research or educational purposes. For animals, the term necropsy is generally reserved.
Autopsies are usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a pathologist. Only a small portion of deaths require an autopsy to be performed, under certain circumstances. In most cases, a medical examiner or coroner can determine the cause of death.
Autopsies are performed for either legal or medical purposes. Autopsies can be performed when any of the following information is desired:
Manner of death must be determined
Determine if death was natural or unnatural
Injury source and extent on the corpse
Post mortem interval
Determining the deceased's identity
Retain relevant organs
If it is an infant, determine live birth and viability
For example, a forensic autopsy is carried out when the cause of death may be a criminal matter, while a clinical or academic autopsy is performed to find the medical cause of death and is used in cases of unknown or uncertain death, or for research purposes. Autopsies can be further classified into cases where external examination suffices, and those where the body is dissected and internal examination is conducted. Permission from next of kin may be required for internal autopsy in some cases. Once an internal autopsy is complete, the body is reconstituted by sewing it back together.
The term "autopsy" derives from the Ancient Greek αὐτοψία autopsia, "to see for oneself", derived from αὐτός (autos, "oneself") and ὄψις (opsis, "sight, view"). The word has been in use since around the 17th century.
The term "post-mortem" derives from the Latin post, 'after', and mortem, 'death'. It was first recorded in 1734.
The term “necropsy” derived from the Greek νεκρός (“death”) and ὄψις (opsis, "sight, view").
Official source
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