CADAVERIC SPASM

VS.

RIGOR MORTIS
Group 3 Jaymalin, Jian Patrice P. Ang, Chris Jolo Gonzales, Cassie Blanche Arquiza, Krizha Jovleen Pacheco, Ma. Rizzel Arellano, Zoren

RIGOR MORTIS In Latin Rigor means stiffness while Mortis is death. Usually occurs during a few hours after death. It is the process of which the dead body stiffens. After death the body goes through a sequence: o Primary relaxation or flaccidity o Rigor Mortis or Cadaveric rigidity o Second relaxation (flaccidity) Causes of Rigor Mortis o Some of the muscles in the body cant relax after death. o The bones in the persons body starts to contract within themselves and the skeletal muscle starts to do the same. o The muscles start to stiffen. Mechanism/ Phases o First Phase Muscle remains in a relaxed state for a short time. Sufficient amount of ATP is present in order to allow separation of actin-myosin cross bridges. The rate at which ATP depletes depends upon its content, and on the rate of ATP hydrolysis upon the time of death. Indirect rapid onset of Rigor: occurs when the amount of glycogen is depleted due to vigorous exercise or activities preceding death. Occurrence of tetanic spasm.

o Second Phase The amount of ATP decreases to a critical level. Muscle state shifts to a dehydrated, inextensible and stiff form that signals the onset of Rigor mortis o Third Phase Rigid state becomes unalterable. o Fourth Phase The development of the enzymes in the dead muscles causes denaturation. Autodigestion (the dissolution of myosin) occurs. Autodigestion (the dissolution of myosin) occurs. Rigor mortis persists until the decomposition of proteins of the muscle fibers, which makes them incapable of further muscle contraction. The muscles then soften and return to relaxed state. Order of appearance rigor (both voluntary and involuntary muscles of the body are affected): First appears in involuntary muscles. Rigidity occurs in the myocardium. Begins in the eyelids, neck and lower jaw. Rigidity then passes upwards to the muscles of the face and downwards to the chest muscles, upper limbs, abdomen and lower limbs.

Rigor mortis always sets in, increases and gradually decreases.

 Factors affecting rigor mortis o Age- it usually occurs to stillborn that are fully developed up to adulthood. In a healthy adult it is a slow process while in children and older people it happens rapidly. o Nature of death- In deaths from diseases causing great exhaustion and wasting, e.g., cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, cancer, etc. and in violent death as by cut-throat, firearms or by electrocution, the onset of rigor is early and duration is short. In strychnine and other spinal positions, the onset is rapid and the duration longer. In deaths from asphyxia, severe haemorrhage, apoplexy, pneumonia, nervous disease causing paralysis of muscle, and perfusion with normal saline, the onset is delayed. It may disappear very rapidly in case, of widespread bacterial infection, especially in gas gangrene, where putrefaction begins early. o Muscular state- the process of rigor mortis is slow when the muscle is relaxed, healthy and at rest. While in a body that is exposed to tiring activities before death the process of rigor mortis is rapid. o Atmospheric condition- onset is slow and duration long in cold weather. The onset is rapid due to heat

 Algor mortis In Latin, Algor means coolness. The natural cooling of body temperature following death. Process: Termination of circulation due to cardiac inactivity and inelasticity of the skin exhibits signs of flaccidity and pallor. The body temperature then starts to decline. Body temperature tends to cool faster in a humid environment with air movement. Increased body exposure also contributes to increased decline in body temperature. Livor mortis blood pooling The accumulation of blood in the capillaries of the skin due to the effects of gravity. Noncirculating blood tends to flow downwards and will accumulate in the capillaries in the lower regions of the body. Exhibits lividity (purple or reddish purple skin discoloration). Occurs within 30 minutes to 2 hours after death, It is fully developed within 12 hours. Algor mortis Rigor mortis Livor mortis

 Conditions simulating Rigor Mortis Heat Stiffening when a body is exposed to temperatures above 65, rigidity is produced, which more marked than that is found in rigor mortis. The stiffening remains until the muscles and ligaments soften from decomposition and the normal rigor mortis does not occur. Cold Stiffening when a body is exposed to freezing temperatures, the tissues becomes frozen and stiff, due to freezing of body fluids and solidification of subcutaneous fat stimulating rigor. If the body is placed in warm atmosphere, the stiffness disappears and after a time, a normal rigor mortis occurs. Cadaveric Spasm or instantaneous rigor CADAVERIC SPASM a.k.a Post-mortem spasm, instantaneous rigidity , cataleptic rigidity or instantaneous rigor It is the term used to describe the sudden tightening of a hand or other body part at the time of death. It can occur in all parts of the body usually limited to a single group of muscles, it is more commonly seen in the hands. It is a rare condition usually related with brutal deaths under extremely physical circumstances with intense emotions.

 Muscles that were contracted through life become stiff and rigid and immediately after death without passing through the first stage of rigor mortis (primary relaxation) Can be differentiated from rigor mortis when theres an evidence of life before the time of death. It shows the last action of the deceased. The state of cadaveric spasm last until true rigor mortis occur.

Common features of Rigor Mortis and Cadaveric Spasm: 1. Instantaneous rigor 2. Heat stiffening 3. Cold stiffening 4. Gas stiffening- due to fulfilment of body cavity by putrefactive gas and thus hardening the tissues.

Differences of Rigor Mortis and Cadaveric spasm: CADAVERIC SPASM This is continuation of state of contraction of the muscles after death in which the muscles were at the instant of death. The stage of primary flaccidity is absent. The stiffening is therefore instantaneous. Primary Relaxation Does not occur in the muscles involved. Predisposing Factor Not present. Exhaustion, fatigue of the muscles, excitement, fear etc. Muscles involved Both voluntary and Usually voluntary involuntary muscles muscles are are involved. involved. Condition of the In the state of Molecular death has muscles molecular death. not yet set in. Character of Moderate Strong stiffening Muscular reaction Acidic Alkaline Traits Onset RIGOR MORTIS This is due to changes in the Muscles after the molecular death of their cells and is preceded by primarily flaccidity of muscles. Two to three hours are therefore usually necessary before stiffening occur. Occurs before onset of rigor mortis.