Cadaveric spasm
Cadaveric spasm (pronounced: kəˈdavərik spazəm), also known as postmortem spasm, is a rare form of muscular stiffening that occurs at the moment of death and persists into the period of rigor mortis.
Etymology
The term "cadaveric" is derived from the Latin cadaver, meaning "corpse" or "dead body". The term "spasm" comes from the Greek spasmos, which means "a drawing, pulling, a convulsive motion".
Definition
Cadaveric spasm, also known as instantaneous rigor, is a type of muscular stiffening that occurs at the moment of death and persists into the period of rigor mortis. It is different from rigor mortis, which is a natural process that occurs in all bodies after death. Cadaveric spasm is a strong muscular contraction that takes place at the moment of death and is usually associated with intense emotion or physical activity.
Causes
The exact cause of cadaveric spasm is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the sudden cessation of ATP production, which is necessary for muscle relaxation. It is often associated with violent deaths such as homicide, suicide, or accidents.
Related Terms
- Rigor mortis: The natural stiffening of the body after death.
- ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that provides energy for cellular functions.
- Muscle contraction: The activation of tension-generating sites within muscle fibers.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cadaveric spasm
- Wikipedia's article - Cadaveric spasm
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