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e. Rigor mortis[a] (from Latin rigor 'stiffness' and mortis 'of death'), or postmortem rigidity, is the fourth stage of death. It is one of the recognizable signs of death, characterized by stiffening of the limbs of the corpse caused by chemical changes in the muscles postmortem (mainly calcium). [1] In humans, rigor mortis can occur as soon ...
The stages that follow shortly after death are: Corneal opacity or "clouding". Pallor mortis, paleness which happens in the first 15–120 minutes after death. Livor mortis, or dependent lividity, a settling of the blood in the lower (dependent) portion of the body. Algor mortis, the reduction in body temperature following death.
Post-mortem phenomena to estimate the time of death. The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time that has elapsed since an individual's death. [1] When the time of death is not known, the interval may be estimated, and so an approximate time of death established. Postmortem interval estimations can range from hours, to days or even years ...
Other end-of-life signs. A person who is dying may have other changes, such as: They may be in pain, causing them to clench their hands or teeth, grimace, or cry out. Their health care team can ...
A fresh pig carcass. At this stage the remains are usually intact and free of insects. The corpse progresses through algor mortis (a reduction in body temperature until ambient temperature is reached), rigor mortis (the temporary stiffening of the limbs due to chemical changes in the muscles), and livor mortis (pooling of the blood on the side of the body that is closest to the ground).
Algor mortis (from Latin algor 'coldness' and mortis 'of death'), the third stage of death, is the change in body temperature post mortem, until the ambient temperature is matched. This is generally a steady decline, although if the ambient temperature is above the body temperature (such as in a hot desert), the change in temperature will be ...
Nysten's rule (1811) describes the sequential onset of rigor mortis in the various muscle groups. The basic sequence of the solidifying body begins from the head down the body, in the order: [1] The rule does not occur in all cases, as described. In particular, it depends on what muscle groups are even claimed before the death - there enters ...
Cadaveric spasm, also known as postmortem spasm, instantaneous rigor mortis, cataleptic rigidity, or instantaneous rigidity, is a rare form of muscular stiffening that occurs at the moment of death and persists into the period of rigor mortis. [1] Cadaveric spasm can be distinguished from rigor mortis as the former is a stronger stiffening of ...