Algor mortis is the postmortem change that describes cooling of the body.

Algor mortis is the postmortem change that describes cooling of the body.

• A. Postmortem cooling
• B. Postmortem stiffening
• C. Postmortem discoloration
• D. Postmortem decay

Answer: (A)

Algor mortis describes the cooling of the body after death because metabolic heat production stops, so the body temperature falls toward the surrounding environment. The rate of cooling depends on factors like ambient temperature, clothing, air movement, and body mass, and it continues until the body matches the surroundings. This is why the term describing that change is postmortem cooling. Stiffening after death is rigor mortis, the temporary hardening of muscles from depleted ATP. Discoloration is livor mortis, the settling of blood in dependent parts producing a reddish to purplish hue. Decomposition is putrefaction, the breakdown of tissues by microbes.

Algor mortis describes the cooling of the body after death because metabolic heat production stops, so the body temperature falls toward the surrounding environment. The rate of cooling depends on factors like ambient temperature, clothing, air movement, and body mass, and it continues until the body matches the surroundings. This is why the term describing that change is postmortem cooling.

Stiffening after death is rigor mortis, the temporary hardening of muscles from depleted ATP. Discoloration is livor mortis, the settling of blood in dependent parts producing a reddish to purplish hue. Decomposition is putrefaction, the breakdown of tissues by microbes.