What causes the bloated appearance during decomposition?

What causes the bloated appearance during decomposition?

• A. Dehydration of the body.
• B. Rigid muscles and skin.
• C. Accumulation of gases produced by anaerobic bacteria.
• D. Immediate mummification.

Answer: (C)

Bloated appearance during decomposition is due to gas buildup from anaerobic bacteria as they break down tissues. Putrefaction produces gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide, which accumulate inside the body and cause swelling, often starting in the abdomen. Dehydration would dry and shrink tissue rather than swell it. Rigor mortis creates stiffness from muscle contraction, not bloating. Immediate mummification involves rapid drying and shrinking, not gas-driven swelling. So the visible bloating comes from the internal pressure of gut- and tissue-derived gases produced by anaerobic bacteria.

Bloated appearance during decomposition is due to gas buildup from anaerobic bacteria as they break down tissues. Putrefaction produces gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide, which accumulate inside the body and cause swelling, often starting in the abdomen. Dehydration would dry and shrink tissue rather than swell it. Rigor mortis creates stiffness from muscle contraction, not bloating. Immediate mummification involves rapid drying and shrinking, not gas-driven swelling. So the visible bloating comes from the internal pressure of gut- and tissue-derived gases produced by anaerobic bacteria.