Mirvet Abadi

Pd 4B Forensics
1/12/2015
Autopsy Questions
C. Respiratory System and Endocrine System
1. Why is it necessary for the trachea to have rings of cartilage in its walls?
It is necessary for the trachea to have rings of cartilage in its walls so it can prevent from
crushing and choking.
2. What is the purpose of the hormone thyroxine, which is produced by the thyroid gland?
It is necessary for the trachea to have rings of cartilage in its walls so it can prevent from
crushing and choking.
3. Why do the lungs have a large number of blood vessels?
The lungs have a large number of blood vessels because the lungs give oxygen to the
blood and remove CO2.
4. Explain what must happen for the lungs to expand, allowing you to inhale.
The diaphragm must relax for the lungs to expand
5. Why is it necessary to close the opening of a puncture wound in the chest?
It is necessary to close the opening of a puncture wound in the chest so the blood and
oxygen will escape from the body.
D. Circulatory System
6. What is the purpose of the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart in mammals?
The purpose of the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart in mammals is to reduce
friction in tissues around the heart, preventing inflammation which has outer and inner
coats. The outer coat is tough and thickened, loosely cloaks the heart. The inner coat is
double with one layer closely adherent to the heart.
7. Why do arteries have an interior ring of smooth muscle?
The arteries have an interior ring of smooth muscle because the muscle helps move the
blood along and maintain blood pressure. Through peristalsis, the blood is moved.
Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of muscle.
8. Which arteries sometimes become blocked in a human and are then "bypassed" by using
veins from the patient's legs?
Cardiac arteries on the heart sometimes become blocked in a human are then "bypassed"
by using veins from the patient's legs.
9. What are the two major veins of the pig's heart that return deoxygenated blood from the
body?

Anterior and posterior vena cavae are the major veins of the pig's heart that return
deoxygenated blood from the body.
10. Why is pulmonary circulation bypassed in the unborn fetal pig, and how is it bypassed?
The pulmonary circulation bypassed in the unborn fetal pig because there is no need for
the blood to go to the lungs and "pick up" blood as the fetus is not breathing in the womb.
The fetus' mother is providing all of its oxygenation needs via umbilical artery.
E. Digestive System
11. What are the main functions of the liver in mammals?
The main functions of the liver in mammals are that it filters blood that comes from the
digestive tract before moving it on to other areas of the body. It makes proteins that help
maintain the volume of blood. It stores and processes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
and turn them into glucose. It eliminate harmful by products of our bodily functions.
12. What is the stomach muscle that controls the passage of food into the small intestine?
Lower esophageal sphincter is the stomach muscle that controls the passage of food into
the small intestine.
13. What is the purpose of the villi and microvilli of the small intestine?
The purpose of the villi and microvilli of the small intestine is to increase the surface area
in order to maximize the efficiency of absorption.
14. What is the primary function of the large intestine?
The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb water and electrolytes from
digested wastes.
15. What is the purpose of rugae in the stomach lining, and what glands are found between
them?
The purpose of rugae in the stomach lining is to aid stomach distension, gradually
smoothing out as the stomach fills. The glands that are found between them are gastric
pits, which opens to the gastric glands.
F. Urogenital System
16. If a mammal drinks large amounts of saltwater, what will this do to its urinary output?
If a mammal drinks large amounts of saltwater, it will try to get rid of the excess salt by
excreting excess water slowly dehydrates itself to death.
17. Why is there an advantage for female pigs to have long uterine horns and a small uterine
body, whereas in humans the situation is reversed?
The advantage for female pigs to have long uterine horns and a small uterine body is so
they can have more babies at one time.
18. Why is it important for the testes in pigs and other mammals to completely descend into
the scrotum?
It is important for the testes in pigs and other mammals to completely descent into the
scrotum because the production of sperm requires a low temperature than body
temperature therefore it is necessary for the testes to be removed from the general mass
of the body.
19. Explain the function of the nephrons in the pig kidneys.
The function of the nephrons in the pig kidneys is to remove impurities and water in the
blood.

20. What is the unique difference between female egg production and male sperm production
in mammals?
The difference is that the female egg production is mainly the ovaries and the male sperm
production is mainly the testicles.