LIFE AND DEATH
- death
The traditional definition of death is when the heartbeat and breathing cease for good. The heart stops blood circulation, and all functions in the cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem stop. At the same time, it is not always easy to determine when someone has died. A person can be kept alive on a respirator, even if the heart and lungs do not work on their own.
The brain's electrical activity can be measured by an EEG device. When the heart stops beating, the EEG curve flattens. Other organs and cells can still live, and this makes organ transplantation possible.
When a person has been declared dead, the doctor must complete a death certificate. This public document can be used in statistics.
Photo: Aas & Bergseth/ The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology
