Postmortem Changes: Practice Question

Question

When does muscle stiffness typically peak during rigor mortis?

Answer Choices

  1. 10 to 12 hours
  2. 2 to 8 hours
  3. 24 to 36 hours
  4. 48 to 60 hours
  5. 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.
Try a Sample Exam

Free account required. No subscription needed.