When does muscle stiffness typically peak during rigor mortis?
10 to 12 hours
2 to 8 hours
24 to 36 hours
48 to 60 hours
30 minutes
Show Answer and Explanations
10 to 12 hours — Correct answer
Correct. Rigor mortis is muscle stiffness after death. from depletion of ATP. Onset is in about 2 hours, it peaks in 12 hours, and lasts about 36 hours, but this varies by person and the environment (e.g. warm conditions speed up the process).
2 to 8 hours
Incorrect. The onset of rigor mortis is around two hours, starting in the head and neck.
24 to 36 hours
Incorrect. Rigor mortis lasts around 36 hours.
48 to 60 hours
Incorrect. Rigor mortis has usually passed after 36 hours; cold conditions can lengthen the duration, however.
30 minutes
Incorrect. Rigor mortis has typically not started by 30 minutes.
Summary
Summary: Rigor mortis is muscle stiffness after death. from depletion of ATP. Onset is in about 2 hours, it peaks in 12 hours, and lasts about 36 hours.