autopsy

Term: autopsy.

Origin:  Anc Greek αυτός/autos (= self) + όψις/opsis (= to look at, vision; sight)  à a seeing with one's own eyes (the same meaning for modern Greek word «αυτοψία»).

Coined: In the third century B.C., the word autopsia denoted those observations on the patient made by the physician himself .

Definition:

The surgical procedure which is performed on a corpse in order to determine the cause of death.

Comment

Sometimes the word “necropsy” from Greek words νεκρός/necros(=dead) + and όψις/opsis (= to look at, vision; sight) is used instead of autopsy especially for examination of dead animals.