Rigor mortis facts for kids
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Pallor mortis |
Rigor mortis is a natural process that happens to a body after someone dies. The name "rigor mortis" comes from Latin and means "stiffness of death." It's when the body's muscles become stiff and rigid. This stiffness usually starts a few hours after death and can last for about a day and a half.
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What is Rigor Mortis?
When a person dies, their body stops working. One of the first changes is that the muscles become stiff. This happens because the muscles contract and then cannot relax. Imagine your arm bending and staying bent; that's similar to what happens with rigor mortis.
How Does Rigor Mortis Happen?
Our muscles work by using tiny parts that slide past each other. When we are alive, our bodies constantly make a special energy molecule called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP helps these muscle parts unhook and relax after they contract.
When someone dies, their body stops making ATP. Without this energy, the muscle parts get stuck together. They can't unhook or relax, so the muscles stay contracted and stiff.
When Does Rigor Mortis Start and End?
Rigor mortis doesn't happen right away.
- It usually begins about 3 to 4 hours after death.
- The stiffness becomes complete around 12 hours after death, meaning all muscles are fully stiff.
- The stiffness then slowly goes away. It usually lasts for about 36 hours in total.
Why Does Rigor Mortis Go Away?
After about 36 hours, the body's cells start to break down. This process is called autolysis, which means "self-digestion." The cells begin to digest themselves, and the muscle fibers start to break apart. When the muscles break down, they lose their stiffness, and the body becomes relaxed again.
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