Incision Details
The Incisions section notes that the scalp wounds were extended in the coronal plane to examine cranial content, and the customary Y-shaped incision was used to examine the body cavities.
Thoracic Cavity Findings
The Thoracic Cavity findings indicated an unremarkable bony cage, with thoracic organs in their normal positions and relationships and no increase in free pleural fluid. The previously described area of contusion in the apical portion of the right pleural cavity was noted.
Lung Findings
The Lungs were of essentially similar appearance, with the right weighing 320 grams and the left 290 grams. The lungs were well aerated with smooth glistening pleural surfaces and gray-pink color. A 5 cm diameter area of purplish red discoloration and increased firmness to palpation was situated in the apical portion of the right upper lobe, corresponding to the similar area in the overlying parietal pleura, and incision revealed recent hemorrhage into the pulmonary parenchyma.
Heart Findings
The Heart findings described a smooth-walled pericardial cavity containing approximately 10 cc of straw-colored fluid. The heart had an essentially normal external contour, weighed 350 grams, and showed no abnormalities when the pulmonary artery was opened in situ. The cardiac chambers contained moderate amounts of postmortem clotted blood, and there were no gross abnormalities of any valve leaflets. The cardiac valve circumferences were: aortic 7.5 cm, pulmonic 7 cm, tricuspid 12 cm, mitral 11 cm. The myocardium was firm and reddish brown, with the left ventricular myocardium averaging 1.2 cm in thickness and the right ventricular myocardium 0.4 cm. The coronary arteries were of normal distribution, smooth walled, and elastic throughout.
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