Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/28/95
MSP209 19962-99999	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Pathology for Funeral Service
Pathologic conditions which require special treatment and terminology associated with the causes of death. Prerequisites: Admission to the Mortuary Science program.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
MSP209   19962-99999	Pathology for Funeral Service

1.	Identify and explain the pathological conditions which require special procedures in the removal, handling, preparation, and disposition of human remains. (I-XXIII)
2.	Define and apply terminology used in communication among members of the medical profession and other health field personnel. (I-XXIII)
3.	Explain the importance of cooperation in community programs for controlling disease and promoting medical research. (I)
4.	Identify, before and during embalming, the problems presented by disease processes and etiological factors. (I-XXIII)
5.	Describe the benefits derived from the post-mortem examination of human remains. (I-XXIII)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
MSP209   19962-99999	Pathology for Funeral Service

I. Fundamental Concepts of Pathology A. Definition of pathology B. Divisions of pathology 1. Pathological anatomy (morbid anatomy) a. Gross pathology b. Microscopic pathology c. HISTO-pathology 2. Surgical pathology 3. Clinical pathology 4. Physiological pathology 5. Medico-legal pathology (forensic pathology) C. Plan of study in pathology 1. General pathology 2. Special pathology D. Autopsy as a tool in the advancement of medical science 1. Confirmation of medical diagnosis 2. Advancement medical knowledge and research 3. Assistance in medico-legal cases 4. Amplify or reject the clinical diagnosis II. Characteristics of Disease A. Nature of disease 1. Definition of disease 2. Relationship of cellular change to disease a. The doctrine of cellular pathology: Virchow b. Functional disease c. Organic disease 3. Descriptive terminology relating to disease a. Lesion b. Diagnosis c. Prognosis d. Symptoms or signs e. Exacerbation f. Remission g. Congenital disease h. Acquired disease i. Recurrent disease j. Idiopathic disease k. Acute disease l. Chronic disease m. Deficiency disease n. Hereditary disease o. Endemic disease p. Epidemic disease q. Pandemic disease r. Sporadic disease s. Infectious disease t. Allergies u. Febrile disease v. Occupational disease B. Etiology: the study of the cause of disease 1. Predisposing conditions a. Age b. Race c. Nutrition d. Gender e. Occupation 2. Exciting causes a. Trauma: mechanical injury b. Physical agents: heat, cold, electricity, X-ray 3. Chemical agents: drugs and poisons 4. Plant and animal parasites: bacteria, molds, yeasts, protozoa, viruses 5. Deficiency of essential substances 6. Allergens III. Cellular Reaction to Injury A. Types of regressive cellular changes 1. Degeneration 2. Infiltration a. Pigmentation (1). Exogenous (2). Endogenous 3. Necrosis a. Causes b. Types (1). Caseous necrosis (2). Gangrene (a). Moist (b). Gas (c). Dry (ischemic necrosis) 4. Atrophy a. Physiological b. Pathological 5. Hypertrophy a. Physiological b. Pathological c. Compensatory 6. Regeneration IV. Structural Abnormalities A. Malformation or anomaly B. Types 1. Spina bifida 2. Hyopplasia 3. Aplasia V. Inflammation and Repair A. Inflammation 1. Function 2. Causes a. Physical irritants b. Chemical irritants c. Infectious agents 3. Vascular reaction 4. Cardinal signs a. Heat b. Redness c. Swelling d. Pain e. Altered function 5. Inflammatory lesions a. Abscess b. Ulcer c. Vesicle d. Carbuncle or furuncle 6. Repair VI. Disturbances in Circulation A. Edema or dropsy 1. Causes 2. Examples of edema a. Anasarca b. Ascites c. Hydrothorax d. Hydropericardium B. Hyperemia 1. Physiological and pathological hyperemia 2. Active and passive hyperemia 3. Plethora C. Ischemia 1. Characteristics 2. Causes D. Thrombosis 1. Causes a. Injuries to blood vessels b. Slow rate of blood flow c. Alterations in blood composition 2. Location of thrombi 3. Changes in thrombi (fragmentation) 4. Consequences of thrombosis a. Ischemia b. Passive hyperemia c. Gangrene d. Infarction E. Embolism 1. Types and causes a. Fragments of thrombi b. Bacteria c. Tumor cells d. Animal parasites e. Fat f. Gas g. Foreign bodies 2. Consequences of embolism a. Ischemia b. Infarction or gangrene c. Spread of infection d. Spread of tumors F. Infarction and infarct G. Hemorrhage 1. Causes a. Trauma b. Diseases of blood vessels c. Hypertension d. Disease of the blood 2. Terms related to hemorrhage a. Petechia b. Ecchymosis c. Hematoma d. Epistaxis e. Hemoptysis f. Hematemesis VII. Neoplasms and Cysts A. Neoplasms (tumors) 1. Classification of neoplasms a. Clinical: based on behavioral characteristics b. Histological: based on the type of tissue from which the tumor arises (1). Type of growth: expansive vs. infiltrative (2). Metastasis (a). Benign neoplasms 1. Derived from epithelium a. Adenoma b. Papilloma c. Nevus 2. Derived from connective tissue a. Osteoma b. Chondroma c. Lipomas d. Angioma 3. Derived from muscle: myoma a. Rhabdomyoma b. Leiomyoma 4. Derived from nervous tissue: neuroma (b). Malignant neoplasms 1. Derived from epithelium a. Melanoma b. Squamous cell carcinoma c. Adenocarcinoma 2. Derived from connective tissue a. Osteoscarcoma b. Chondrosarcoma c. Liposarcoma d. Angiosarcoma 3. Derived from muscle: myosarcoma a. Rhabdomyosarcoma b. Leiomyosarcoma 4. Derived from nervous tissue: glioma 2. Post mortem conditions a. Emaciation b. Discoloration c. Hemorrhage d. Tissue deformation e. Extravascular obstruction B. Cysts VIII. Diseases of the Blood A. Reactive changes 1. Leucocytosis 2. Leucopenia B. Anemia 1. Due to destruction or loss of red blood cells 2. Due to decreased production of red blood cells C. Hematopoietic disorders 1. Leukemia 2. Lymphoma 3. Polycythemia vera (erythrocytosis) D. Bleeding disorders 1. Hemophilia 2. Purpura IX. Diseases of the Heart and Blood Vessels A. Heart 1. Dilatation 2. Hypertrophy 3. Endocarditis a. Causes b. Post mortem conditions (1). Possible vascular obstruction (2). Possible multiple abscesses 4. Valvular defects a. Causes b. Valvular insufficiency (incompetence) c. Stenosis 5. Pericarditis 6. Myocarditis a. Causes b. Consequences 7. Rheumatic heart disease a. Causes b. Lesions 8. Coronary heart disease a. Atherosclerosis b. Thrombosis c. Spasms 9. Cardiac failure a. Acute b. Chronic (congestive) B. The blood vessels 1. Arteritis 2. Arteriosclerosis 3. Atherosclerosis 4. Aneurysm a. Types b. Complications 5. Phlebitis 6. Varicose veins X. Diseases of the Digestive System A. Mouth and associated parts 1. Stomatitis 2. Glossitis 3. Gingivitis B. Pharynx: pharyngitis C. Esophagus: esophagitis D. Stomach 1. Gastritis 2. Stomach ulcer E. Small intestines: enteritis F. Colon and rectum 1. Colitis 2. Proctitis 3. Hemorrhoids 4. Appendicitis G. Liver 1. Degeneration and infiltration 2. Hepatitis a. Define b. Types (1). Viral (2). Toxic c. Jaundice 3. Cirrhosis a. Characteristics b. Post mortem conditions (1). Jaundice (2). Ascites (3). Edema (4). Hemorrhage H. Gall bladder and bile ducts 1. Cholecystitis 2. Cholelithiasis 3. Cholangitis I. Pancreas: pancreatitis J. Peritoneum: peritonitis 1. Characteristics 2. Post mortem conditions a. Ascites b. Dehydration c. Rapid decomposition d. Rapid coagulation of blood 3. Febrile lesions (vesicles) XI. Diseases of the Respiratory Tract A. The upper respiratory tract 1. Acute inflammation a. Rhinitis b. Sinusitis c. Pharyngitis d. Laryngitis e. Coryza 2. Nasal polyps B. Trachea and bronchi 1. Tracheitis 2. Bronchitis 3. Bronchial asthma C. Lungs 1. Pneumonia: pneumonitis a. Varieties (1). Lobar pneumonia (2). Bronchopneumonia (3). Viral pneumonia b. Associated conditions (1). Pleuritis: pleurisy (2). Pleural effusion: hydrothorax (3). Empyema c. Post mortem conditions (1). Rapid coagulation of blood (2). Cyanosis (3). Dehydration (4). Edema 2. Tuberculosis a. Causes b. Lesion: tubercle c. Forms of tuberculosis (1). Pulmonary (2). Miliary d. Post mortem conditions (1). Cavitation (2). Hemorrhage (3). Dehydration (4). Emaciation (5). Cold abscess 3. Pneumoconioses 4. Atelectasis 5. Emphysema XII. Diseases of the Urinary System A. Terms dealing with urinary disturbances 1. Oliguria 2. Anuria 3. Polyuria 4. Albuminuria 5. Hematuria 6. Hemoglobinuria 7. Pyuria 8. Glycosuria B. Uremia C. Diseases of the kidney 1. Glomerulonephritis 2. Pyelonephritis 3. Pyelitis 4. Hydronephrisis 5. Renal calculi D. Ureteritis E. Stricture of ureters 1. Characteristics 2. Complications F. Cystitis G. Urethritis and stricture of urethra XIII. Diseases of the Nervous System A. Trauma 1. Concussion 2. Contusion 3. Laceration 4. Intracranial hemorrhage a. Characteristics b. Types (1). Extradural hemorrhage (2). Subdural hemorrhage (3). Subarachnoid hemorrhage B. Meningitis C. Hydrocephalus 1. Congenital 2. Acquired D. Encephalitis E. Myelitis 1. Characteristics 2. Poliomyelitis F. Neuritis G. Epilepsy 1. Grand mal 2. Petit mal XIV. Diseases of the Female Reproductive System A. Uterus 1. Endometritis 2. Endocervicitis B. Fallopian tubes 1. Salpingitis 2. Tubal extopic pregnancy C. Ovaries: oophoritis D. Vagina: vaginitis XV. Diseases of the Male Reproductive System A. Testes 1. Orchitis 2. Cryptorchism B. Prostate Gland 1. Prostatitis 2. Hypertrophy C. Scrotum: hydrocele XVI. Diseases of the Bones and Joints A. Bones 1. Osteoporois 2. Osteomyelitis 3. Osteomalacia B. Joints 1. Arthritis 2. Bursitis XVII. Diseases of the Endocrine Glands A. Islets of Langerhans 1. Hypofunction 2. Diabetes meeitus a. Characteristics b. Complications (1). Atherosclerosis (2). Vascular obstruction (3). Hemorrhage (4). Gangrene B. Pituitary gland 1. Hyperfunction a. Acromegaly b. Giantism 2. Hypofunction C. Thyroid gland 1. Hypothyroidism a. Cretinism b. Myxedema 2. Hyperthyroidism: Grave's disease 3. Simple goiter D. Adrenal glands 1. Addison's disease 2. Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndromem XVIII. The Coroner and Medical Examiner A. Jurisdiction B. Responsibilities C. Qualifications D. Inquest XIX. Medicolegal Investigation A. Type of death with medicolegal potential 1. Injury and death by violence a. Missile wounds: gunshot, other projectiles b. Sharp force injury: stabbing, cutting c. Blunt force injury: blows, falls d. Land, water, aircraft accidents 2. Sudden and/or unexpected death a. At home b. Hospital c. Not in the care of a physician 3. Environmental death a. Industrial pollutants b. Pesticides c. Additives 4. Health, welfare and safety a. Drug abuse b. Contagious diseases c. Therapeutic accidents d. Cremation 5. Medical litigation a. Malpractice/negligence b. Insurance claims B. Determination of jurisdiction 1. Medical examiner's case 2. Coroner's case C. Clinical autopsy D. Forensic autopsy 1. Absolute identification of the body 2. Description of the body and scene 3. Description of the clothing 4. Unrestricted autopsy with accessory investigations a. Biochemical (toxicological) b. Microbiological c. Radiological 5. Cause of death a. Immediate cause b. Contributory cause c. Manner of death (1). Natural (2). Homicide (3). Suicide (4). Accident (5). Unexplained (6). Undetermined d. Mechanism of death e. Evidential information: recovery and preservation XX. Injuries A. Wounds 1. Abrasion: superficial injury (scratch) 2. Ecchymosis: escape of blood into tissue of a living person following a rupture of vessels 3. Laceration: splitting or tearing apart of tissues 4. Avulsion: loss of tissues from tearing away B. Incised wounds: appearance site 1. Hesitation marks (multiple, shallow: usually suicide) 2. Defense (injury, homicide) C. Wounds by glass D. Stab or puncture wounds: appearance, site (obscure) 1. Through clothing (homicide) 2. Not through clothing (suicide) E. Wounds and injury by gunshot 1. Accidental 2. Suicidal 3. Homicidal 4. Type of firearms 5. Entrance wounds a. Contact b. Close range 6. Exit wounds a. Larger than entrance b. Smaller that entrance F. Electrical injuries 1. Electrocution 2. Electric marks G. Thermal injuries 1. Heat exhaustion: exposure to excessive heat 2. Burns a. Before or after death b. Heat contractures c. Scalds 3. Hyopthermia a. Local: frostbite b. General: death from chilling H. Asphyxia 1. Hanging a. Types of ligatures b. External signs of hanging c. Posture and clothing of the victim d. Accidental (sexual deviation vs. suicide) 2. Strangulation a. By ligature (1). Homicide (a). Cases of sexual assault (b). Infanticide (umbilical cord) (c). Garrotting (criminal execution) (2). Suicide b. Manual (1). Throttling (2). Strangle-hold 3. Drowning 4. Suffocation a. Smothering b. Choking c. Traumatic or crush asphyxia XXI. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (S.I.D.S.) XXII. Maltreatment of Children A. Neglect B. Physical abuse 1. Sexual abuse 2. Child battering XXIII. Poisoning

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