Autodigestion

Autodigestion, a term referring to postmortem changes in the digestive organs, when these organs postmortem undergo the action of the corresponding digestive juices. Thus, the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus leads to the so-called esophagomalacia (see Esophagus), sometimes involving the entire thickness of the organ. In the stomach itself, cases of autodigestion constitute a constant phenomenon, although the degree of it depends on the nature of the juice, the phase of digestion at which death occurred, the rate of cooling of the corpse, etc. Parts of the stomach in the region of the greater curvature are particularly frequently subjected to autodigestion. The digested parts appear translucent, with the venous network especially distinct; postmortem escape of blood from vessels may also be observed. Subsequently, the submucosal layer is exposed, of a dirty brown color due to impregnation with altered blood pigment, for example along the course of the venous network. Finally, the muscular layer of the stomach also undergoes digestion, after which, either spontaneously or with slight traction, for example during autopsy, a rupture of contents into the abdominal cavity occurs, where phenomena of digestion can also take place, especially on the part of the fatty tissue. Autodigestion of the stomach is particularly frequently observed in children's corpses. One can also speak of intravital autodigestion in the stomach, since in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer (see) the digestive action of gastric juice has, if not decisive, then still very important significance. Autodigestion in the intestine is not often observed, mainly in the upper segment. However, the processes of putrefaction, autolysis, and imbibition by bile in the intestine clearly predominate over the phenomena of proper autodigestion. Intravital autodigestion (intra-vital autodigestion) should also be considered in pancreatic necroses (see Fat necroses). The phenomena of autodigestion should be fundamentally distinguished from the processes of autolysis, in which the active factors are not the various physiological secretions and excretions, but the products of tissue disintegration.