GC: n
S: MN – http://www.medicinenet.com/autopsy/page5.htm (last access: 11 November 2016); WebMD – http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/autopsy-16080#1 (last access: 11 November 2016).
N: 1. 1650s, “an eye-witnessing,” from Modern Latin autopsia, from Greek autopsia “a seeing with one’s own eyes,” from autos- “self” + opsis “a sight”. Sense of “dissection of a body to determine cause of death” is first recorded 1670s, probably from the same sense in French autopsie (1570s).
2. An examination and dissection of a dead body. By a coroner, to discover the cause of death, damage done by disease, etc.
3. Autopsies are performed by pathologists, medical doctors who have received specialty training in the diagnosis of diseases by the examination of body fluids and tissues.
4. Autopsies are performed for a variety of reasons, including:
- to determine the cause of death
- to ascertain whether clinical diagnoses are correct
- to evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatment
- to gain information for the family about possible inherited or genetic conditions
- for teaching and/or research purposes in academic hospitals
- to aid in criminal investigations of wrongful death
- to provide closure and reassurance for family members who may have questions about diagnoses or treatment.
5. Both terms (autopsy and necropsy) can refer to humans and animals but in general, the term “necropsy” is more common in veterinary medicine.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=autopsy (last access: 11 November 2016). 2. TERMIUM PLUS – http://goo.gl/9PbmBk(last access: 9 November 2016). 3 & 4. Emedicinehealth- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/autopsy/article_em.htm (last access: 9 November 2016). 5. TERMIUM PLUS – http://goo.gl/9PbmBk (last access: 11 November 2016).
SYN: necropsy (context)
S: TERMIUM PLUS – http://goo.gl/9PbmBk (last access: 3 November 2016)
