New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What term describes the stiffening of muscles after death?

1. Decomposition

2. Rigor Mortis

3. Dependent Lividity

4. Cardiac Arrest

The correct answer is: Rigor Mortis

The term that describes the stiffening of muscles after death is rigor mortis. This physiological process occurs as a result of chemical changes in the muscle after death, leading to a temporary state where the actin and myosin filaments in the muscle cells become fixed in place, causing the muscles to stiffen. Rigor mortis typically begins within a few hours post-mortem and can last for several days, depending on factors such as temperature and the individual's body condition at the time of death. Understanding rigor mortis is crucial in forensic science and emergency medical situations, as it can provide important clues about the time of death and the circumstances surrounding it. This differentiation is significant in the context of the other terms: decomposition refers to the breakdown of body tissues, dependent lividity pertains to the pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body due to gravity, and cardiac arrest indicates a cessation of heartbeat, which are all different processes and concepts.