die  Obduktion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɔpˈdʊktsjoːn/

🩺 What exactly is an Obduktion?

Die Obduktion (also known as an autopsy or post-mortem examination, in German also Autopsie or Leichenschau) is a medical examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death, the process of dying, and to reconstruct the course of illness. It is usually performed by pathologists or forensic pathologists (Pathologen or Rechtsmediziner).

There are different types:

• Klinische Obduktion (Clinical autopsy): Serves quality assurance in hospitals and research, usually with the consent of relatives.
• Gerichtliche or rechtsmedizinische Obduktion (Forensic autopsy): Ordered by the public prosecutor's office (Staatsanwaltschaft) if there is suspicion of homicide, an accident, or medical malpractice.

⚠️ Important: The word is always feminine, so it's die Obduktion.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Obduktion

The noun „Obduktion“ is feminine. The plural „die Obduktionen“ is used less frequently, mostly in scientific or statistical contexts.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Staatsanwaltschaft ordnete eine Obduktion an.
   (The public prosecutor's office ordered an autopsy.)
2. Das Ergebnis der Obduktion bestätigte den Verdacht.
   (The result of the autopsy confirmed the suspicion.)
3. Nach der Obduktion wurde der Leichnam freigegeben.
   (After the autopsy, the body was released.)
4. Die durchgeführten Obduktionen lieferten wichtige Erkenntnisse.
   (The performed autopsies provided important insights.)

🗣️ How is Obduktion used?

The term „Obduktion“ is primarily used in medical and legal/forensic contexts.

• Medizin (Medicine): To clarify causes of death in unclear disease progression or for scientific research.
• Rechtsmedizin/Justiz (Forensic medicine/Justice): In cases of suspected foul play, accidents, or for identifying unknown deceased persons.

In everyday language, the word is less common; the more general term „Autopsie“ is often used, although „Obduktion“ is the more precise technical term in German. One might speak of the „Anordnung einer Obduktion“ (ordering of an autopsy) or the „Obduktionsbericht“ (autopsy report).

🧠 Mnemonics for Obduktion

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in „-tion“ in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Aktion (action), die Situation (situation), die Inspektion (inspection) – and therefore, die Obduktion.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone pondering: 'Ob' (whether) this 'Aktion' (action/procedure) will reveal the cause of death? 'Ob' + 'Aktion' sounds a bit like Obduktion, hinting at the investigation ('Aktion') to find out 'whether' ('Ob') something specific happened.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Watch out for confusion!

No direct words that are easily confused, but the exact difference between Obduktion and Leichenschau (which can be external only) might be relevant in specific contexts.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Pathologen immer einen Regenschirm zur Obduktion mit?
Falls es zu Leichenschauern kommt! 😉

(Why do pathologists always take an umbrella to the autopsy?
In case there are 'Leichen-Schauer'! - This is a pun: 'Leichenschau' means autopsy/corpse viewing, and 'Schauer' means shower (of rain) or shudder/viewer. So it plays on 'corpse showers' or 'corpse viewers'.)

📜 Poem about Obduktion

Im kühlen Raum, bei hellem Licht,
beginnt die Schau, bricht das Gedicht
des Lebenslaufs, der nun vollbracht,
die Obduktion gibt Antwort in der Nacht.
Was war der Grund, das letzte Leid?
Die Wahrheit sucht man, fern der Zeit.
Ein stiller Dienst, oft unbequem,
doch wichtig für das System.

(In the cool room, in bright light,
the viewing begins, breaks the poem
of the life course, now completed,
the autopsy gives answers in the night.
What was the reason, the final suffering?
The truth is sought, far from time.
A quiet service, often uncomfortable,
but important for the system.)

❓ Riddle

Ich spreche nicht, doch sag viel aus,
über des Lebens letzten Graus.
Mit Skalpell und kühlem Blick,
find ich des Todes Augenblick.
Bin ich gerichtlich, muss ich sein,
bring Klarheit in den dunklen Schein.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Obduktion)

(I do not speak, yet say a lot,
about life's final dread.
With scalpel and a cool gaze,
I find death's moment in a haze.
If I am forensic, I must be,
bringing clarity to mystery.

What am I?
Answer: die Obduktion / the autopsy)

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The word comes from the Latin verb obducere, which originally meant 'to cover, to draw over'. Later, obductio developed with the meaning of 'inspection, examination'.

Rechtliches (Legal aspects): The performance of an autopsy is regulated by law, especially the forensic autopsy in the German Code of Criminal Procedure (Strafprozessordnung, §§ 87-91 StPO).

Kulturelles (Cultural aspects): Autopsies are often featured in crime novels and films (Krimis), where they contribute to solving crimes.