Post‑Mortem Organ and Brain Handling After Autopsy
After autopsy, organs are examined, sampled, and then typically:
- Organs: Returned to the body cavity (if family wishes) or disposed of per institutional policy (incineration, biohazard waste) if not needed for further study.
- Brain: May be retained for neuropathological examination (e.g., suspected neurodegenerative disease, medico‑legal cases). After fixation (formalin), it is either returned, stored for research (with consent), or disposed of per legal/ethical guidelines.
Practices vary by jurisdiction and family preferences; consent is required for retention beyond diagnostic need.
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