Which term describes the pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body after death?

Which term describes the pooling of blood in dependent parts of the body after death?

• A. Hypostasis
• B. Livor Mortis
• C. Rigor Mortis
• D. Algor Mortis

Answer: (A)

After death, circulation stops and gravity pulls blood toward the dependent parts, causing a settled, reddish discoloration in those areas. This pooling is described by the term hypostasis, which specifically denotes the settled blood in gravity-dependent sites. It’s the concept behind livor mortis, the visible stain that results from that pooling. The other terms refer to different postmortem changes: rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles, and algor mortis is the cooling of the body.

After death, circulation stops and gravity pulls blood toward the dependent parts, causing a settled, reddish discoloration in those areas. This pooling is described by the term hypostasis, which specifically denotes the settled blood in gravity-dependent sites. It’s the concept behind livor mortis, the visible stain that results from that pooling. The other terms refer to different postmortem changes: rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles, and algor mortis is the cooling of the body.