Image: Skull chisel, autopsy instrument

Skull chisel - autopsy instrument

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© Australian Museum

Additional information

After scoring the calvarium (the vault-like part of the skull that holds the brain) with the vibrating saw or hand saw, the chisel is used to gently finish the separation of the top of the calvarium from the lower skull, thus exposing the brain and its coverings (meninges).

Last Updated: 27 October 2009

Tags Death Online, what happens after death, autopsy, autopsies, instruments,