Definition of brain death
Noun
brain death (uncountable)
- (medicine) An irreversible loss of brain function and cessation of brain activity.
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Brain death is a legal definition of death that refers to the irreversible end of all brain activity (including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life) due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of blood flow and oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state. The concept of brain death emerged in the 1960s, as the ability to resuscitate individuals and mechanically keep the heart and lungs functioning became prevalent.
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- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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