Thanatology: autopsy in sudden death from pulmonary embolism: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Thanatology: autopsy in sudden death from pulmonary embolism

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman dies suddenly on the sixth day after a pelvic operation. Autopsy shows a saddle embolus in the pulmonary trunk. To identify the source, which autopsy step is most appropriate?

ASerial incisions into the deep calf and pelvic veinsBExamination of the superficial veins of the arm onlyCTesting of the lungs for hydrostatic buoyancyDHistology of the coronary arteries

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Serial incisions into the deep calf and pelvic veins

Most pulmonary emboli come from deep vein thrombosis of the legs and pelvic veins. The autopsy must dissect the deep calf veins by serial incisions and examine the iliac and pelvic veins, because thrombi are often not visible externally. Superficial veins rarely give rise to fatal emboli.

Option by option

A. Serial incisions into the deep calf and pelvic veins (correct)
Correct. Deep calf and pelvic veins are the usual source and need serial incision.
B. Examination of the superficial veins of the arm only
Superficial arm veins are an unlikely source of a fatal embolus.
C. Testing of the lungs for hydrostatic buoyancy
The hydrostatic test applies to infanticide and has no role here.
D. Histology of the coronary arteries
Coronary histology addresses cardiac causes and does not locate an embolus source.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Serial incisions into the deep calf and pelvic veins. Most pulmonary emboli come from deep vein thrombosis of the legs and pelvic veins.

Why is "Examination of the superficial veins of the arm only" not the answer?

Superficial arm veins are an unlikely source of a fatal embolus.

Why is "Testing of the lungs for hydrostatic buoyancy" not the answer?

The hydrostatic test applies to infanticide and has no role here.

Why is "Histology of the coronary arteries" not the answer?

Coronary histology addresses cardiac causes and does not locate an embolus source.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: autopsy in sudden death from pulmonary embolism in Forensic Medicine. The autopsy must dissect the deep calf veins by serial incisions and examine the iliac and pelvic veins, because thrombi are often not visible externally. Superficial veins rarely give rise to fatal emboli.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thanatology: autopsy in sudden death from pulmonary embolism?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.