Cyanosis in a dead patient may be confused with

Cyanosis in a dead patient may be confused with

1.Livor mortis
2.Rigor mortis
3.Algor mortis
4.All of the above

sol:

Cyanosis

• The word cyanosis is derived from Greek means “dark blue”

• Indicates bluish colouration of skin or mucous membrane. It is more pronounced in parts having abundant capillary and venous circulation like lip, tip of nose, nailbeds, ear lobes, tip of tongue etc.

• Normally well-oxygenated blood is bright red but with increase in quantity of reduced hemoglobin, it assumes dark colour. This imparts bluish purple colour to skin and thus cyanosis is evident. There must be at least 5 gm of reduced hemoglobin per 100 ml blood before cyanosis becomes evident. Thus diminished oxygen tension in the blood with consequent rise in proportion of reduced hemoglobin is necessary for cyanosis.

• Cyanosis may not be evident in:

– Marked anemia

– When dermis is thick

• Cyanosis may be confused with postmortem lividity.