RESUMO
La rigidez cadavérica (rigor mortis) es un proceso no muy bien comprendido por la mayoría de los médicos. El conocimiento de la intimidad del proceso de la rigidez cadavérica es de vital importancia ya que es una de las variables que junto con las livideces (livor mortis) y la temperatura (algor mortis) del cadáver ayudan a determinar el cronotanatodiagnóstico, tanatocronodiagnóstico o intervalo postmortal del período inmediato de la muerte. Para entender el mecanismo de la rigidez y el espasmo cadavérico es preciso hacer un repaso de la contracción muscular fisiológica en el vivo. Hay que tener presente que el tipo de fibra muscular predominante modificará las características de la contracción muscular fisiológica en el vivo, y también la rigidez y el espasmo cadavérico. (AU)
The cadaveric rigidity (rigor mortis) is a process which is not very well understood by the majority of the doctors. The knowledge of the intimacy of the cadaveric stiffness process is of vital importance since it is one of the variables that, as well as the postmortem lividity (livor mortis) and the body temperature post mortem (algor mortis) help determine the chronotanatodiagnostic, tanatochronodiagnostic or postmortal interval of the immediate period of death. In order to understand the mechanism of stiffness and cadaveric spasm, it is necessary to review the physiological muscle contraction in vivo. We should keep in mind that the predominant type of muscle fiber will modify the characteristics of physiological muscle contraction in vivo, as well as stiffness and cadaveric spasm. (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Rigor Mortis/fisiopatologia , Espasmo/fisiopatologia , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/classificação , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/fisiologia , Fatores de Tempo , Contração Muscular/fisiologia , Relaxamento Muscular/fisiologiaRESUMO
Cadaveric spasm causes instantaneous rigor without preceding post-mortem flaccidity. The precise pathophysiological basis of this phenomenon is still unknown. We report a case of accidental electrocution where the deceased was found dead with a metallic water supply pipe of a motor booster pump firmly gripped in his hand. In this report, we review the literature and consider the mechanisms that may cause this phenomenon.
