What is the term for the process that involves the breakdown of tissues post-mortem?

• A. Putrefaction
• B. Decomposition
• C. Embalming
• D. Autolysis

Answer: (B)

The term referring to the process that involves the breakdown of tissues post-mortem is decomposition. Decomposition is a natural biological process whereby organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter, predominantly through the actions of microorganisms and insects. This process is essential to the ecosystem as it recycles nutrients back into the environment.

In mortuary science, understanding decomposition is crucial for embalming practices, as it outlines how different factors, including environment and microorganisms, affect the body after death. Factors like temperature, humidity, and the presence of pathogens can accelerate or slow down this process, influencing how an embalmer may approach preserving the body.

Other terms, such as putrefaction, refer more specifically to the decay associated with the action of bacteria, while autolysis describes the self-digestion process that occurs within cells after death. Embalming, on the other hand, is the process used to preserve the body and delay decomposition, making it distinct from the processes of decomposition itself.