People are horrified after finding out one body part is always removed during an autopsy

The comment immediately sparked confusion and horror across social media, with many viewers stunned to hear the tongue can be removed during forensic examinations.

“So you’re telling me every time I’ve been to a funeral, the person was just chilling with no tongue and I didn’t know,” shared one netizen. A second wrote: “All of us freaking out at the thought of our tongues being removed…after we are dead!”

Many admitted they had never considered how detailed autopsies can be, while others said the information permanently changed how they think about bodies after death.

“So I’m just going to be immediately cremated. These videos give me too much anxiety over what happens to my body and things inserted/removed,” one wrote.

‘Not a standard procedure’

“Wait – you take out the tongue? Can I sign a no tongue removal clause?” a second shared.

“Remember not everyone has an autopsy,” another added.

While many viewers assumed tongue removal happens during every autopsy, medical experts say the reality is more nuanced.

According to MedicineNet, the tongue may be removed in certain autopsies to allow pathologists to fully examine the oral cavity and throat structures. The process can help investigators check for injuries, hidden substances, abnormalities, or signs that could point to a cause of death.

“This step is crucial in forensic medicine and pathology because it allows for a detailed examination of the neck organs, which is essential for excluding other possible causes of death,” the medical site explains.

However, MedicineNet notes that tongue removal “is not a standard procedure during autopsies.” Instead, the decision depends on the circumstances surrounding the death and the type of examination being conducted.