Thanatology: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Thanatology

Sample item

In which muscles is rigor mortis first noticed?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Eyelids and muscles of the face

Rigor mortis appears first in the small muscles of the eyelids, face and neck, usually 1 to 2 hours after death (earlier in the heart), then spreads downwards. It passes off in the same order. Heat and exertion before death hasten it.

Option by option

  • A. Eyelids and muscles of the face (correct)

    Correct. Rigor appears in the head and neck first and then descends to the limbs.

  • B. Muscles of the fingers

    Small hand muscles are involved after the face and neck.

  • C. Muscles of the calf

    Calf muscles stiffen in the later, descending part of the sequence.

  • D. Muscles of the thigh

    Large leg muscles are involved later.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Eyelids and muscles of the face. Rigor mortis appears first in the small muscles of the eyelids, face and neck, usually 1 to 2 hours after death (earlier in the heart), then spreads downwards.

Why is "Muscles of the fingers" not the answer?

Small hand muscles are involved after the face and neck.

Why is "Muscles of the calf" not the answer?

Calf muscles stiffen in the later, descending part of the sequence.

Why is "Muscles of the thigh" not the answer?

Large leg muscles are involved later.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. It passes off in the same order. Heat and exertion before death hasten it.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thanatology?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.