RIGORMORTIS Meaning and
Definition
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Rigor mortis, also commonly known as cadaveric rigidity, is a physiological phenomenon that occurs after death, resulting in the stiffening of the muscles and joints in a deceased body. Derived from Latin, rigor mortis translates to "stiffness of death." This condition manifests due to a biochemical change that occurs in the muscles shortly after death, typically around two to six hours post-mortem.
During the onset of rigor mortis, the muscle proteins start to undergo a process called denaturation, in which the proteins lose their structure and become less flexible. As a consequence, the muscles become fixed and rigid, leading to a lack of movement and the inability to manipulate the limbs or joints. Rigor mortis progresses gradually throughout the body, starting from the jaw and neck area and gradually extending to the limbs and other muscles.
The intensity and duration of rigor mortis vary based on several factors including body temperature, physical condition prior to death, environmental conditions, and individual differences. It typically reaches its peak between 12 to 48 hours after death, after which it gradually starts to subside. Warmer temperatures generally accelerate the onset and resolution of rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis plays a vital role in forensic science, providing valuable information for determining the time of death, investigating crime scenes, and estimating the interval between death and the discovery of a body.
Etymology of RIGORMORTIS
The word "rigor mortis" is derived from Medieval Latin. It comes from the Latin words "rigor", meaning stiffness or rigidity, and "mortis", meaning of death. "Rigor mortis" is a term used in medicine to describe the stiffness of muscles after death, which occurs due to chemical changes in the body.
Similar spelling word for RIGORMORTIS
