postmortem (redirected from postmortem decomposition)

postmortem /post·mor·tem/ (pōst-mort´im) performed or occurring after death.

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post·mor·tem (pst-môrtm)

adj.

Relating to or occurring during the period after death.

n.

See autopsy.

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Postmortem

After death.

Mentioned in: Autopsy

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postmortem

[môr′təm]

Etymology: L, post + mors, death

adj, after death. See postmortem examination.

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postmortem

performed or occurring after death.

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postmortem decomposition

changes that take place at a fairly predictable rate, depending on body temperature at the time of death, and environmental temperature once death has taken place. The size of the body and the presence or absence of bacterial infection also influence these changes.

Rigor mortis is the first of these changes after cessation of circulation and respiration. Within 2 to 4 hours after death depletion of glycogen stores prevents synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Without ATP the muscle fibers do not relax, resulting in rigid contraction of the fibers and immobilization of the joints. The rigor first occurs in the involuntary muscles and then involves the voluntary musculature, starting with the head and neck and descending gradually to the trunk and lower extremities. The process usually takes about 45 hours and continues for about 96 hours.

Another noticeable change is cooling of the body, which occurs rather rapidly once circulation stops and the heat-regulating center in the brain no longer is functioning. This postmortem loss of body heat is called algor mortis.

Decomposition of the tissues begins almost as soon as blood supply stops. With the breakdown of hemoglobin, discoloration, or livor mortis, appears as mottled, reddened areas that can be mistaken for bruises, particularly in the extremities or other parts of the body where there is a pooling of blood. As deterioration of tissues continues and bacterial fermentation occurs the tissues soften and then liquefy. Refrigeration or some other method of cooling the body inhibits this process.

postmortem examination

a careful dissection of a cadaver with the objective of deciding the cause of death. Called also autopsy or necropsy examination.

postmortem inspection

that part of a meat inspection or food inspection at an abattoir that is conducted after the animal has been killed and dressed. Supplements the antemortem examination.

postmortem report

a detailed report of a postmortem examination of a cadaver, including a complete identification of the animal, the body condition, age, sex, species, breed, parity and the changes observed.