What term refers to the decomposition of body tissue?

• A. Putrefaction
• B. Cadaveric Spasm
• C. Lividity
• D. Rigor Mortis

Answer: (A)

Putrefaction refers to the decomposition of body tissues caused by bacterial activity after death. This process breaks down proteins, produces gases, and leads to odors, color changes, and tissue softening as the body decays. In contrast, cadaveric spasm is a sudden, permanent muscle contraction at death; lividity (livor mortis) is the pooling of blood that causes discoloration on dependent areas; and rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles due to chemical changes after death. Putrefaction is the term that specifically describes tissue decomposition.