What is another term for livor mortis?

Livor mortis refers to the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body after death, causing a reddish-purple discoloration of the skin in these areas. This phenomenon occurs due to the cessation of circulation, allowing red blood cells to break down and leak their pigments into the tissues under the influence of gravity.

The term "cadaveric lividity" is synonymous with livor mortis, as it directly describes this postmortem phenomenon. "Cadaveric" indicates that it pertains to a deceased body, while "lividity" refers to the discoloration or pigment change. Therefore, using this term effectively encapsulates what livor mortis entails.

Other terms related to postmortem conditions, such as "cadaveric rigidity" which refers to rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles after death, "postmortem stain" which can broadly refer to discolorations including livor mortis but is not specific, and "organ pallor" which describes a paleness in organs after death, do not accurately capture the specific definition of livor mortis as effectively as "cadaveric lividity."