Thoracic vertebra with cut-mark

Dublin Core

Title

Thoracic vertebra with cut-mark

Alternative Title

Osteological preparation of thoractic vertebra with stab wound

Subject

Osteological Preparations
Spine
Vertebrae
Wounds
Stab
Homicide
Hodges, Richard M. (Richard Manning), 1827-1896
human remains

Description

Vertebra of a 25 year old man who was stabbed in the middle of the right side of the neck with a broad and sharp knife, and was treated at Massachusetts General Hospital, arriving approximately an hour after the injury, pale and with a diminished pulse. The hemorrhage, which was very copious, could be controlled by compression only so much. After etherization, further inspection revealed more than three cuts along the internal jugular vein which were swiftly attended to. The carotid was suspected to be damaged and was tied off. His bleeding halted and the man rallied well but on the second day, he experienced a sore throat, dysphagia and difficulty breathing as phlegmonous inflammation came on about the wound. He died 78 hours after the injury.

Later autopsy revealed that the internal jugular had been obliterated but the carotid artery had remained unharmed. Although unverified by the dissection, it was theorized that the arterial hemorrhage originated from the descending thyroid and sterno-mastoid branches of the external carotid.

Abstract

Seventh cervical vertebra and first and second thoracic vertebrae with rib sections. Cut mark on body of first thoracic vertebra. Articulated and mounted to wooden base painted black. Transverse processes sawed off.

Creator

Hodges, Richard M. (Richard Manning), 1827-1896

Source

Hodges, Richard M. (Richard Manning), 1827-1896

Date

1863

Date Created

1863

Rights

The Harvard Medical Library does not hold copyright on all the materials in the collection. For use information, contact the Warren Anatomical Museum Curator at chm@hms.harvard.edu

Access Rights

Accessing collections in the Warren Anatomical Museum and the Warren Anatomical Museum archive requires advanced notice. Please submit a request to Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu to access the displayed item

Is Part Of

Warren Anatomical Museum

References

Hodges, Richard, "Wound of the Neck; Ligature of the Common Carotid; Death; Autopsy.“ Boston Medical and Surgical Journal 69 (1863): 98

Format

object

Extent

One osteological preparation

Medium

osteological preparation

Type

physical object

Identifier

WAM 00947

Provenance

The autopsy of this 25-year-old male was conducted at Mass General by Dr. Ellis, and the remains were transferred to Dr. Richard Hodges, who dried and articulated the osteological preparation. It was donated by Hodges to the Warren Anatomical Museum in 1863.

Files

IMAGE UNAVAILABLE.jpg

Citation

Hodges, Richard M. (Richard Manning), 1827-1896, “Thoracic vertebra with cut-mark,” OnView, accessed March 29, 2024, https://collections.countway.harvard.edu/onview/items/show/17928.