Difference between respired and unrespired lungs (Live birth vs Dead Birth)

The knowledge whether a dead fetus was a still birth or died after coming into the environment (Live Birth) is very important in Forensic Science. This is important specially in countries where killing of neonate in the name of black magic is prevalent. Similarly, killing of female fetus/ newborn is also common in some part of the world. Killing a newborn is Crime in most part of the world and differentiation between the two can be made based upon the study of the lungs in the postmortem. 

Postmortem finding of a respired and unrespired lungs have many differences. The unrespired lungs is parenchymatous like a liver occupying lesser volume. Being condensed and no air particle inside it tends to sink in the water with density higher than that of water. 

Respired lungs on the other hand have spongy elastic appearance with lesser density and hence floats in water. It is expanded covering the heart and with respiration the cardiac circulation changes and the patency of the vessels is maintained making it ooze with frothy blood when cut into pieces.

The following are the characters based upon which the differentiation can be made between the two.

Character	Unrespired Lungs	Respired Lungs
Weight in relation to body weight	1/70	1/35
Volume	Small	Large and covers the heart
Consistency	Liver Like: Dense firm non crepitant	Soft, spongy, elastic, Crepitant
Extension	Up to the level of 4th and 5th rib	Up to the level of 6th and 7th rib
Specific gravity	1.04	0.94
Margin	Sharp	Rounded
Color	Uniform reddish	Mottled/ marbled appearance
Air vesicle	Not inflated	Inflated
Section	Little froth less blood exudates on pressure	Abundant frothy blood exudates
Breslow life test	Whole or part sinks	Expanded
Microscopy	Cuboidal lining	Squamous Epithelium
Blood vessel	Less patent	More Patent

Oral Cavity Examination : How to describe.

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Complete description of oral cavity examination. 

LIP

The mucosa of lips on examination is pink in color, shiny and lustrous. The vermilion border looks normal. There is no angular stomatitis, No swelling, no vesicles, ulcers scars or cleft lip.

BUCCAL CAVITY

On examination of mouth and oral cavity, there is no restriction in opening of mouth, the buccal mucosa looks normal with no abnormal change in color and surface epithelium. Opening of parotid gland opposite the upper second molar looks normal and patent without any redness swelling or pus.( If inflamed-On applying pressure over the parotid gland there is no discharge.)

No halitosis present.

TEETH AND GUMS

On examination of gums and teeth, there is no redness or swelling over the gingival. There is no extraction of teeth. Dental caries are present on xyz teeth / No dental caries or abnormal dental pattern noted. Gingiolabial sulcus, gingiobuccal sulcus and Retromolar trigone looks normal. 

HARD PALATE AND SOFT PALATE

The mucosa overlying the hard and soft palate looks pink, moist and normal. The uvula is placed centrally and on asking the patient to say AHH there is symmetrical movement of palate and no deviation of uvula is noted

There is no cleft palate, oronasal fistula, No high arched palate, no bulge. No midline bony growth, mass or ulcer.  

TONGUE and FLOOR OF ORAL CAVITY

On examination of tongue, the tongue is normal in shape, size and tone and bulk. No restricted motility on outward protusion, sideways movement and upward movement. There is no fasciculation and deviation of tongue on outward protusion. There is no coating, ulcer or fissure over the surface of the tongue. No ulcers on the lateral margin of tongue.

Opening of submandibular gland on either side of the frenulum on the undersurface of tongue is visible. There are no swelling or redness or pus. There is no scar, ulcer or swelling on the undersurface of tongue.

On bimanual palpation of submandibular salivary gland, there is no swelling or hard masses (stones).                         

Learn How to describe other systems and pathological conditions.

| Abdominal | Respiratory | Cardiovascular | Nose and PNS | Oral Cavity | Ear | Digital Rectal Examination | Ulcer |