## Mechanism of Algor Mortis **Key Point:** Algor mortis is the postmortem cooling of the body due to loss of metabolic heat production and passive heat dissipation to the environment. It is a passive, physical process, not an active biological one. ### Pathophysiology of Algor Mortis 1. **Cessation of metabolism** — At death, aerobic respiration stops; the body no longer generates metabolic heat. 2. **Heat loss to environment** — The body, now at core temperature (~37°C), begins to lose heat through: - Conduction (direct contact with cooler surfaces) - Convection (air currents) - Radiation (infrared emission) - Evaporation (from skin and respiratory surfaces) 3. **Temperature equilibration** — Body temperature gradually approaches ambient temperature. **High-Yield:** The rate of cooling is influenced by: - Ambient temperature (faster in cold, slower in hot environments) - Body composition (fat insulates; lean bodies cool faster) - Clothing and covering - Cause of death (fever or hyperthermia delays cooling; hypothermia accelerates it) - Air circulation **Clinical Pearl:** Algor mortis is NOT a reliable indicator of time of death because of the many variables affecting cooling rate. A body in a cold room may cool rapidly, while one in a warm, humid environment cools slowly. **Mnemonic:** **HEAT LOSS** — Heat production Ends, Ambient temperature drives cooling, Thermal equilibration occurs.
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