When a group of muscles of a dead body were in state of strong contraction immediately prior to death and remain so even after death, the condition is termed as:
**Core Concept**
The phenomenon described is a result of the muscle's inability to relax after death due to the presence of a high concentration of calcium ions in the muscle cells. This leads to sustained muscle contraction, a characteristic feature of this condition.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The condition is known as "rigor mortis," which is a temporary stiffness that occurs in the muscles of the body after death. This stiffness develops due to the breakdown of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the subsequent release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Calcium ions then bind to troponin and tropomyosin, causing the muscle fibers to contract and remain in a state of contraction.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it is not a recognized medical term related to the condition described.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it refers to a different medical condition, specifically a type of muscle weakness or paralysis.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it is not a recognized medical term related to the condition described.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Rigor mortis typically sets in 2-4 hours after death and resolves within 9-12 hours as the muscles begin to break down. This phenomenon can be useful in estimating the post-mortem interval.
**Correct Answer: C. Rigor mortis.**