During recovery of tissues post-cardiac death, which structure is typically collected?

The middle ears, also known as the tympanic cavities, can be collected during the recovery of tissues following cardiac death for various medical and research purposes. Their anatomical structure and specific cellular components can hold valuable information for certain types of investigations, including those related to infectious diseases, tissue compatibility for transplants, and even forensic studies.

Regarding the other structures mentioned, kidneys can be harvested but are typically associated with organ transplantation rather than investigatory tissue recovery post-cardiac death in a forensic context. The pancreas is also a vital organ often harvested for transplantation, but it is less commonly collected in a forensic setting compared to other tissues. The heart itself might be collected during procedures such as autopsy or organ donation, but its recovery primarily focuses on transplantation rather than the specific context of investigatory tissue collection.

Thus, the choice of middle ears aligns more directly with practices relevant to forensic investigations and tissue collection protocols after a cardiac death, making it a suitable answer in this context.