Editing Autopsy (section)

{{Short description|Medical examination of a corpse}}
{{Redirect|Post-mortem}}
{{About|the medical procedure||Autopsy (disambiguation)}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox medical intervention
|  Name        = Autopsy
|  Image       = Rembrandt - The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp.jpg
|  Caption     = ''[[The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp]]'', (1632) by [[Rembrandt]], depicts an autopsy.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
|  Specialty   = [[Forensic pathology]]
|  ICD10       =
|  ICD9        = 89.8
|  MeshID      = D001344
|  OtherCodes  =
}}
An '''autopsy''' (also referred to as '''post-mortem examination''', '''obduction''', '''necropsy''',<ref group=Note name=Note01/> or '''autopsia cadaverum''') is a [[surgical]] procedure that consists of a thorough [[Physical examination|examination]] of a [[Cadaver|corpse]] by [[dissection]] to determine the cause, mode, and manner of [[death]]; or the exam may be performed to evaluate any [[disease]] or [[injury]] that may be present for research or educational purposes.  The term ''necropsy'' is generally used for non-human animals.

Autopsies are usually performed by a specialized medical doctor called a [[pathology|pathologist]]. Only a small portion of deaths require an autopsy to be performed, under certain circumstances. In most cases, a [[medical examiner]] or [[coroner]] can determine the cause of death.