Lethal outcome: the origin of the term and diagnosis

Why is the death of a person in medicine very often called a lethal outcome? The answer to this question you will see in the article presented.

The origin of the term

For sure the expression "death" was heard by absolutely everyone. But where did this statement come from and what is its true meaning?

The fact is that so many people believe that after death a person's soul literally flies out of his body. On this mystical assumption, the expression "lethal outcome" is constructed. Moreover, such a medical term as "exitus letalis" is one of the existing options for the development of a disease. In other words, this phrase is used when, as a result of a prolonged illness, the patient's body can not cope with the deviation that has arisen, which leads to his death.

History of the expression

Historians say that the term "death" was used in ancient Greece. This was due to ethical considerations, since this expression was considered to be better than "death."However, those people who are familiar with Latin, argue that the word "letalis" in literal translation means not "lethal", but "deadly".Thus, the death of a person after a long illness is sometimes described as a fatal outcome.

Types of death

In medical practice, the following types of death are distinguished:

• clinical;
• biological;
• is final.

There is also another subcategory - brain death.

Previous states of

As a rule, a lethal outcome is always accompanied by such terminal conditions as pre-conditioning, agony and clinical death. They can last at different times. It should also be noted that, regardless of the speed, death is always preceded by clinical death. If the resuscitation measures of hospital, ambulance or ordinary person were not properly performed or were unsuccessful, then biological death occurs. As is known, this phenomenon represents an irreversible and complete cessation of all physiological processes in the tissues of the nervous system and cells. Due to the processes of decomposition, the entire organism is destroyed in the future, as a result of which the structure of the nerve bonds is destroyed. Such a stage is usually called an information death.

Diagnosis of death

Fear of a possible error in the diagnosis of human death throughout the development of medicine pushed doctors to develop ways to recognize it. Thus, the biological death of a patient is ascertained by a set of characteristics. To make sure of the lethal outcome, the deceased check the work of the heart, the central nervous system and breathing.

It should also be noted that one of the most valuable and early signs of the onset of a person's death is the so-called "cat's eye phenomenon".In other words, the pupil of the deceased begins to narrow significantly and eventually becomes not round, but takes the form of an oval or a rod.

In addition, the main factor in the death of a person is muscle tone. So, when the work of the nervous system ceases, the innervation of the muscle tissues stops.

The instruction on definition of criteria of the moment of death of the person provides the ascertaining on the basis of presence of corpse changes or the termination of activity of a brain. It should also be noted that all resuscitation measures can be completely discontinued only if they are ineffective for half an hour. Moreover, such procedures are not carried out if there are clear signs of biological death, as well as clinical signs that have appeared against the backdrop of the progression of incurable diseases, the consequences of injuries, etc.