2. Muscles can still move
As mentioned, there are many things our body can do even when it is no longer alive. One of these fascinating things is muscle contractions.
These muscle contractions are not the ones we do voluntarily because the brain no longer sends signals to the muscles. These post-mortem phenomena are categorized into 3 types of autonomous muscle movements.
Rigor mortis. Generally, a few hours after death, the muscles of the corpse can become stiff and contract involuntarily. This is due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Rigor mortis disappears after a certain period, usually a few days.
Cadaveric spasms. These refer to uncontrolled muscle contractions that can occur when certain nerves are stimulated or irritated during the handling of the corpse or as a result of chemical processes that occur within the body.
Passive muscle contractions. When a dead body is manipulated, this type of contraction may occur as a response to the pressure or movement applied to it.
It is important to note that these phenomena occur mainly due to movements or chemical and biological processes within the corpse and certainly do not indicate a return to life.
15 Responses
That was interesting an insightful..
When does a crystallization happen in the mouth?How long in time after chest compression was done?
The explanation about the myth that hair and nails still grow after death. You can almost visualize this appearance of hair and nail growth during decomposition.
Being a former medical. I learned about these. But I still find it interesting
This article was very knowledgeable and helpful. We always have wondering minds of death.
I worked for a mortician one summer vacation. I was essentially the muscle that helped move the bodies around. Back then, they didn’t have all the modern hoists and lifts. I worked mostly in the afternoon and nighttime when the viewing times were over. Because of the chemicals, we were never alone, for safety reasons. I witnessed many things that were explained as the body that dies in stages. I heard them moan burp fart and move. movement that was never extreme but like legs that moved and feet and arms as well. Because they were covered, the movements were restricted. The job paid well enough and I thought it could be a good place to learn a trade. Then I had to work on a young lady that I knew from school. While I didn’t know her well we were in several classes together where we talked. She was crushed by a car and needed a lot of work. it bothered me a lot. While I did my job and the best I could, I wasn’t able to work on others. It wasn’t the dead themselves that bothered me. it was very personal to work on a friend even if she wasn’t close. it was an experience of a lifetime. and what I was told was funerals are for the living. —- I, Grampa
Wow, I never knew that.
I truly missed my calling. I’ve been to 3 autopsies, with my high school at the county morgue. I was the bus driver and was invited in. My husband was a deputy at the county courthouse, who I had originally planned on meeting, plans changed. I was very interested in trying to figure out what happened, almost like a puzzle. In the end you’re giving a family a little peace if that’s possible. I don’t believe the coroner’s & the investigators that work diligently along side them get enough credit. So, I thank them. They sure answered the question for us when my mother died.
very interesting, thanks for the facts
That was interesting and informative.
Some of the points, I just didn’t know.
Nice to know article.
As a child growing up in an environment where it wasn’t uncommon to see a dead body. My grandmother was a midwife and used her other gifts to heal people. I remember seeing the hair on head’s that were bald at their expiration time. I also worked in a funeral home where so many bodies had to be laid out. Yes, I have heard and seeing many things and shared with others who that I was so weird or lying. Now, thanks to your article I knew what I saw and heard did happening. Of course, being a child my mother had me put on medications thinking I was mentally unstable. Needless to say I was perfectly normal and still am at 67. Anyway, I am thankful to see this article to read.
1. The stomach still digesting! You would think everything stops.
2. Erection. Didn’t realize the blood flow would accumulate.
3. Fluctuating! I guess air does need to get expelled somehow.
All this was very interesting!
Very interesting article. My daughter is studying mortuary sciencenancy
Fascinating. Because death happens to everyone, we should all be aware of these post death phenomena.
I would like to know more about what the body does after death