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What physical changes begin in a body shortly after death?
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embalming
An embalming surgeon at work on a soldier's body during the American Civil War.
Shortly after death, the body undergoes several distinct physical changes as it begins the process of decomposition:
- Pallor Mortis: Occurring 15 to 20 minutes after death, the body begins to pale as blood ceases to circulate through the capillaries.1
- Algor Mortis: The body temperature begins to decrease at a rate of approximately 1.5 °F (0.84 °C) per hour.1
- Autolysis: Often called self-digestion, this process begins as enzymes start to break down the membranes of oxygen-deprived cells.1
- Livor Mortis: Damaged blood cells settle in small vessels, causing skin discoloration, such as a purplish-blue hue or reddish spots, typically becoming visible a few hours after death.1
- Rigor Mortis: Starting two to six hours after death, muscles stiffen because the cessation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production prevents actin and myosin filaments from detaching, locking muscles in a contracted state.21
These changes, along with the subsequent activity of bacteria during putrefaction, are the primary reasons embalming is used to preserve a body for viewing.1