What is "postmortem rigidity" commonly known as?

"Postmortem rigidity" is commonly known as rigor mortis, which refers to the physiological process that occurs after death, resulting in the stiffening of the muscles. This phenomenon is due to biochemical changes in muscle tissue, primarily caused by the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the muscle cells. When the body can no longer produce ATP, the muscles contract and become rigid.

Rigor mortis typically begins within a few hours after death and can last for up to 72 hours before the muscle tissues begin to relax again as decomposition progresses. Understanding rigor mortis is essential in mortuary science, as it can provide important information regarding the time of death and help professionals in their embalming practices.