In humans, rigor mortis can occur as soon as four hours after death. Contrary to folklore and common belief, rigor mortis is not permanent and begins to pass within hours of onset.

Rigor mortis, which translates from Latin as "stiffness of death", sets in quickly and usually ends three or four days after death. The condition results from a lack of certain chemicals in the …

Dec 6, 2025 · Rigor mortis, physiological process that occurs within hours after death, wherein muscle tissue stiffens. Rigor mortis can be assessed manually by attempting to flex or extend …

Jun 25, 2024 · Rigor mortis is the third stage after death, in which the muscles harden and become stiff. Learn about its causes, stages, and more.

Aug 26, 2025 · Rigor mortis refers to the post-mortem stiffening of the body’s muscles. Its literal translation from Latin means “stiffness of death.” This natural process is one of the …

Rigor mortis is a biochemical phenomenon characterized by the temporary stiffening of skeletal and cardiac muscles that occurs shortly after death, resulting from chemical changes within …

Aug 8, 2025 · Rigor mortis is a fundamental and critical post-mortem change that occurs in the body’s muscles after death. Its precise biochemical mechanism, involving the depletion of ATP …

Jun 2, 2024 · What Is Rigor Mortis? Rigor mortis is the stiffening of the body after death and is the third post-mortem sign of death. The first two are pallor mortis and algor mortis, respectively. …

RIGOR MORTIS definition: 1. the stiffness of the joints (= places where two bones are connected) and muscles of a dead body…. Learn more.