General Question

Inara27's avatar

Is there a difference between an autopsy and a necropsy?

Asked by Inara27 (1877points) September 4th, 2015
7 responses
“Great Question” (1points)

I have heard both used, but usually “autopsy” refers to humans and necropsy is used with animals. Is there really a difference or is this only convention? The usual web pages via Google don’t seem to be of any help.

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Answers

Inara27's avatar

Thanks @josie! Although I agree with the replies in that thread, the word “autopsy” means “self-seeing” so it seems like it could refer to either human or animal. To see for one’s self the cause of death.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@josie So necropsy is just on animals, it’s like an autopsy. Why distinguish between the two?

Coloma's avatar

Yep, necropsy is the term for animal autopsy.

kritiper's avatar

Necropsy is just the examination, a study of the body, no more. Autopsy is to examine to find cause of death, extent of disease or sickness that caused the death.

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