What's the deal with rigor mortis?

Question

Just trying to see if Weller's still hanging around. :-)

But seriously, can somebody walk me through the post mortem stages?
[nq:1]From what I understand, when a person first dies, they're as pliable assomebody who's just sleeping. How much time elapses before rigor mortis sets in? And then at some point, doesn't the body go back to being pliable? How long does that take?[/nq]
Lois

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Just trying to see if Weller's still hanging around. :-) But seriously, can somebody walk me through the post mortem stages?[/nq]
[nq:2]From what I understand, when a person first dies, they're as pliable as[/nq]
[nq:1]somebody who's just sleeping. How much time elapses before rigor mortis sets in? And then at some point, doesn't the body go back to being pliable? How long does that take? Lois[/nq]
Rigor Mortis is one of those weird things that varies with envorinmental changes, but in general it establishes within 12 hours, and fades within
30. It is caused by a lack of ATP (a hormone responsible for musculecontraction), and fades when the cells begin to degenerate. ATP depletion can be sped up by vigorous activity just prior to death (unless you're writing something about Vampires or other undead, which can give an interesting spin on the wholoe schtick), which will speed up the onset of rigor, but the decay of the cells is still pretty much on track at about 30 hours unless it's really cold or really hot or ... the usual variables.

Holler if you need more!
cd

The difference between immorality and immortality is "T". I like Earl Grey.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Just trying to see if Weller's still hanging around. :-) ... back to being pliable? How long does that take? Lois[/nq]
[nq:1]Rigor Mortis is one of those weird things that varies with envorinmental changes, but in general it establishes within 12 ... about 30 hours unless it's really cold or really hot or ... the usual variables. Holler if you need more![/nq]
Oh, you'll be glad you asked, Lois -
Along with what Carl said, There is a condition called lividity, because the blood stops circulating.
Skin starts to turn purple, and the blood, no longer holding much oxygen follows the dictates
of gravity flowing toward the down parts of the body along the back and **** of the
dead person (if they are on their back at the time of death). The discoloration can be
?shifted? by rolling the body to a different position, but by 6 to 8 hours, it?s locked in.
If a body is found face down, but with the lividity in back, then the body was moved at
least 6 hours after death, but not earlier or the lividity would have ?shifted? to the newly
dependent area.
Immediately upon death, bacteria go to work and by 24 to 36 hours an odor of rotting flesh
is apparent; more and more, the skin becomes greenish-red in color. In about three days, the
decaying flesh causes gas to form in the body cavities and beneath the skin, and the bodily
fluid begins to leak out of the down side through splits in the skin. Add to this, damage
from animals and insects and the body can become completely skeletonized in a little
while. In hot, humid climes, this can happen in 3 or 4 weeks. And that?s the end of a
perfect day.
SL
anyone for Eggs Benedict this morning?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Just trying to see if Weller's still hanging around. :-) But seriously, can somebody walk me through the post mortem ... sets in? And then at some point, doesn't the body go back to being pliable? How long does that take?[/nq]
Already answered, but it might be worth adding that while the body's stiff with rigor, the joints can be "broken" through manipulation. Useful for positioning the body for display, but not used much here in the West, as by the time a body is embalmed and the (generally) three days have passed between death and funeral services, rigor is no longer an issue.
Note that by "broken," we're not talking about fracturing bones but about softening up the stiff muscle tissues to give the joint its usual flexibility.
You rang?

Life Continues, Despite
Evidence to the Copntrary
Steven

What's the deal with rigor mortis?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions