76 Introduction to Medical Terminology
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Disease/Condition Defi nition
tremor An involuntary, repetitive shaking
or quivering of a part or parts of the
body. Causes include illness (such
as Parkinson’s disease), fever, or
hypothermia (dangerously low body
temperature).
Inquiring Minds
A trained individual conducting a postmortem exam can estimate the
time of a person’s death by studying a few revealing facts, such as
body temperature and the presence (or absence) of body stiffness,
called rigor mortis. (The term postmortem comes from the Latin words
post, which means “after,” and mortem, meaning “death.”) Use of a rectal
thermometer is the most accurate method of assessing the temperature of
a corpse. The normal body temperature of a living person is 98.6 degrees
Fahrenheit (F), and normal rectal temperature is 99.6 degrees F. In a
temperature-controlled environment, the body temperature of a deceased
person drops an average of 1.5 degrees F per hour. Rigor mortis sets
in approximately 2 to 4 hours after death, peaks around 12 to 18 hours
postmortem, and usually fades 24 to 36 hours after death. At this stage,
decomposition (decay) begins to occur.
Imagine that you are a forensic pathologist, a medical professional who
determines cause of death by examining corpses. You establish that the
rectal temperature of a corpse at midnight was 95 degrees F. You also note
that rigor mortis was present. Based on these factors, what do you estimate
to be the time of death? What medical terms would you, as a forensic
pathologist, need to know to communicate your observations? Summarize
your observations and share with a partner using the appropriate medical
vocabulary.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
A diagnostician uses different kinds of tools and methods to aid in
pinpointing the causes of patients’ health problems. Following are some
of the most common tests and procedures used to diagnose diseases and
conditions of the muscular system.
Test/Procedure Defi nition
biopsy The removal of a small piece of living
tissue for microscopic examination
(Figure 3.11).
computerized tomography
(CT)
also called
computed
tomography (CT) or
computerized axial
tomography (CAT)
Process in which radiographic images
of a specifi c section of the body are
taken from multiple angles. The images
are then analyzed using a computer to
identify muscular injury or disease. CT
scans provide more detailed imagery
than standard X-rays.