Cadaveric Spasm
Definition
Instantaneous rigor without a flaccid phase, locking the muscle group active at death (clutched weapon, grass).
Related terms
- Adipocere
- A waxy, soap-like substance formed by saponification of body fat under anaerobic, wet, cool-to-moderate conditions. Replaces unsaturated fatty acids with saturated palmitic...
- Algor Mortis
- Postmortem cooling of the body toward ambient temperature, approximately 1-1.5 degrees Celsius per hour under average conditions. Used alongside other postmortem changes...
- Autopsy
- Systematic external and internal examination of a dead body to find cause, manner and time of death. Ordered under BNSS 2023 Section...
- Decomposition
- Autolysis (intracellular enzymes) plus putrefaction (bacterial breakdown). Greenish discoloration starts over the right iliac fossa.
- Henssge Nomogram
- A graphical method using rectal temperature, ambient temperature and body weight to estimate PMI within a 95 percent confidence interval, with correction...
- Livor Mortis (Hypostasis)
- Bluish-purple settling of blood in dependent parts. Begins 30 minutes to 2 hours, fixed by 8 to 12 hours.
- Marbling
- Greenish-black branching pattern over superficial veins from haemoglobin plus H2S. 24 to 48 hour sign.
- Mummification
- Preservation of the body by desiccation rather than liquefaction, occurring when surface evaporation rate exceeds the rate of putrefaction gas production. Common...
- Post-Mortem Interval (PMI)
- The time elapsed between death and discovery or examination of remains. PMI estimation draws on multiple disciplines: soft tissue decomposition stage, insect...
- Putrefaction
- Decomposition of tissues by microorganisms, principally anaerobic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. Products include hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia, and putrescine, which cause...
- Rigor Mortis
- The post-mortem stiffening of muscle from ATP depletion and actin-myosin cross-linking. Develops over hours, peaks, and resolves with putrefaction.
Explained in
- Post-Mortem Examination, Post-Mortem Changes and Time Since DeathInstantaneous rigor without a flaccid phase, locking the muscle group active at death (clutched weapon, grass).