This is the continuation of our last topic which tackled about the first things that happen with the human body right after life force and blood supply run out. These following processes take place zero to three days right after death and proceed to finally achieve decomposition. Here are the details of the human body’s saga in reaching the ultimate end:

Initial Decay: 0-3 days after death

The body will appear fresh on the outside but certain processes start inside the body, which then contribute to decomposition. The bacteria which were inside the intestines will begin to feed on the remaining nutrients and contents in the intestine and then the intestine itself. These microorganisms eventually spread out into other organs and also feed on them. Enzymes that were inside the intestines and the stomach will also leak out and aid in the breakdown of organs and tissues, while the enzymes inside the cells will also digest the cell itself and its connections. Once insects like flies from external surroundings sense the smell of a decomposing body, they will begin to swarm and lay their eggs around openings like wounds, mouth, nose, eyes, and so on. And soon these insects along with their larvae and maggots will also feed on the dead tissues.

Putrefaction: 4-10 days after death

While the host of bacteria breaks down the cells, tissues, and organs of the body, they also produce a huge amount of gas. These gases are putrescine, cadaverine, methane, and also sulfide, which give the decomposing body its horrible smell and also inflate it. This bloating process provides more means to force out more body fluids. This putrid smell together with the fluids are what insects love and so more flies along with beetles and mites come to swarm the body and again lay their eggs on it.

Black Putrefaction: 10-20 days after death

At this point, the bloated body would have collapsed while the flesh already creamy. The body parts that were exposed to air will turn black as the body continues to reek. One important feature in this stage is the increased temperature of the body from all the activities contributed by the insects and bacteria as they continue to grow in population and consume the remaining flesh.

Butyric Fermentation: 20-50 days after death

All the flesh on the cadaver is gone as the body starts to desiccate. It would have a cheese-like smell due to butyric acid present in the corpse. This new smell on the other hand will start to attract more but different organisms composed of molds and also beetles. Because there are no more soft parts to feed on, maggots are no longer in the scene, however, beetles and other insects will continue to chew through more solid parts such as the skin and ligaments.

Dry Decay: 50-365 days after death

The cadaver becomes really dry but decays very slowly. Moths and bacteria will now begin to eat the hair to leave nothing but bones. This concludes the final step of body decomposition and the reason why it’s always the bones that are left.

All the process still depend on a lot of factors that include climate, temperature, moisture, and presence of microorganisms to finally determine the time it takes for the body to decay. As a rule, bodies that are buried take longer time to decompose compared to bodies that are left exposed in the air. Also, summer influences faster decomposition in contrast to winter.

Every living thing faces its own demise, end, and death. But for human beings, our body works wonders as to keep us alive up to the best of what our bodies can—in sickness, in old age, and tragedy. These wonders may not be fully expressed in few paragraphs nor in words, which everyone can easily understand, but the important thing about it is we’re a creation far greater, more astounding, and more breathtaking than any of man’s invention.

Skin

Its the foremost line of our body’s defense by serving as an effective barrier to lots of stress factors like microorganisms, dirt, and heat. With an acidic pH of less than 5, it makes an unfavourable environment for most bacteria. Hair, sebum, and sweat which are mainly found on the skin surface contain enzymes that destroy the integrity of pathogens. Through pores, the skin eliminates body heat, absorbs nutrients, and release metabolic by-products and toxins through sweat. And by a copious amount of blood supply through minute capillaries, clotting mechanisms makes an important role to prevent foreign matters gaining entry into the body through the wound.

Saliva

A significant amount of saliva aids ingested matters into a highly acidic environment of the stomach, which again makes a very terrible place for microorganisms to live in. Human saliva contains a significant amount of enzymes that can digest foods into their basic components which aid further digestive processes.

Respiratory Tract

The respiratory tract is a highly protected system in order to protect the entire body in return. This role starts from the nose as the nasal hair serve to trap large particles. On the other hand, hair-like projections called cilia takes care of the small particles and microbes by trapping and sending them to the throat, thereby allowing elimination through expulsion or swallowing, which involves a series of enzyme-based or immune system interactions.

Blood

The blood plays a very significant and dynamic role in keeping humans alive. One may not survive without an adequate amount of blood because it transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, inflammatory factors, drugs, and a lot more. Through one of its component the white blood cells, it’s able to detect microorganisms and send signals to the other lines of body’s self defense, while the platelets and clotting factors maintain a safe and exclusive passageway for the circulatory system. They repair leaks and work more incredibly than Band-Aids.

These body components may not suffice to reveal everything as our body has a lot to tell, from the smallest part of the brain to the outermost tip of the toe. It doesn’t just contain a marvel of functioning cells and organs, which make a mass of muscles and bones a human being. The insurmountable amount of wonders it boast what makes a human body a miracle in a truest, tangible form.