NEET-PG 2014 — Pathology
2 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations
All of the following are features of somatic death, except:
Virchow method of organ removal is:
NEET-PG 2014 - Pathology NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: All of the following are features of somatic death, except:
- A. Cessation of heart activity (Correct Answer)
- B. Cessation of respiration
- C. Non-responding muscles
- D. No response to external stimuli
Explanation: ***Cessation of heart activity*** - While central to the definition of **somatic/clinical death**, heart activity can sometimes be restored even after a brief cessation, especially with modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. [1] - This represents **potentially reversible clinical death** rather than an absolute irreversible feature, distinguishing it from true permanent somatic death. [1] - The key distinction is that **cardiac arrest** alone does not define irreversible death if circulation can be restored before widespread cellular damage occurs. *Cessation of respiration* - This is a definitive feature of **somatic death**, representing the irreversible cessation of breathing and gas exchange. [1] - Respiratory arrest leads to **anoxia** and hypoxia, rapidly causing widespread cellular damage throughout the body. - Permanent cessation of respiration is one of the classical signs of death. [1] *Non-responding muscles* - **Muscle flaccidity** and absence of response to stimuli indicate loss of neural control and ATP depletion in muscle cells, characteristic of somatic death. [1] - This progresses through stages including primary flaccidity, rigor mortis, and secondary flaccidity as post-mortem changes occur. - Complete unresponsiveness of muscles to external stimuli confirms death. *No response to external stimuli* - Complete absence of response to external stimuli indicates **loss of brainstem reflexes** and cortical function, confirming somatic death. [1] - This includes absence of pupillary reflexes, corneal reflexes, and withdrawal responses to painful stimuli. - The irreversible loss of all neurological responses is a critical component of determining death. [1] **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. (Basic Pathology) introduces the student to key general principles of pathology, both as a medical science and as a clinical activity with a vital role in patient care. Part 2 (Disease Mechanisms) provides fundamental knowledge about the cellular and molecular processes involved in diseases, providing the rationale for their treatment. Part 3 (Systematic Pathology) deals in detail with specific diseases, with emphasis on the clinically important aspects., pp. 247-248.
Question 2: Virchow method of organ removal is:
- A. In situ dissection
- B. Organs removed en masse
- C. Organs removed en bloc
- D. Organs removed one by one (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Organs removed one by one*** - The **Virchow method** is characterized by the sequential removal of **individual organs** through a systematic dissection. - This technique allows for detailed inspection and measurement of each organ independently, which can be useful for identifying specific pathologies confined to single structures. *In situ dissection* - This method involves dissecting and examining organs **within the body cavity before removal**, which is not the primary characteristic of the Virchow method. - While some dissection occurs *in situ*, the essential principle of Virchow's method is the **separate extraction** of organs. *Organs removed en masse* - This describes the **Ghon method**, where organs are removed in three blocks (thoracic, abdominal-gastrointestinal, and genitourinary) and then dissected. - This method aims to preserve anatomical relationships between organs, which contrasts with the single-organ focus of the Virchow method. *Organs removed en bloc* - This term generally refers to removing organs in **several blocks or groups** (similar to the Ghon method), maintaining some anatomical connections. - It does not involve the individual removal of each organ, which is the defining feature of the Virchow technique.