Why does the blood clots in a corpse?

Question

What is the reason?Why it does not happen to us???when we r alive??????

Answer 1

Great question to a complex process. Just got done stuyding this in one of my classes, but I'll try not to get too detailed in my description :) Keeping blood from clotting is actually an active process called hemostasis. Hemostasis and thrombosis (clotting), while closely related, are two opposing processes that are kept in balance in our body. Normally, cells that line our blood vessels secrete anti-clotting factors that keep our blood from clotting. This is counter balanced by prothrombotic factors which promote blood clotting. Prothrombotic factors are present in high concentrations at sights of endothelial injury, where tissues beneath the endothelium become exposed to platelets in the blood--this is the first part of wound healing. Blood clots when we die because cells become injured when not receiving sufficient oxygen. As a response to injury, prothrombotic factors increase and lead to the clotting of blood. I would not consider the movement of blood through vessels as a major contribution to clotting. Basically, it's a balance. If blood is moving too slow (stasis), it tends to clot. If blood is moving via turbulent flow, it tends to clot. Clotting is "prevented" when blood is moving in a smooth manner (laminar flow) through vessels lined by cells that actively promote "liquidation" of blood. This process is much more complicated than I have described above. You can get much more detailed info--look up "hemostasis and thrombosis" or "coagulation cascade".

Answer 2

The blood isn't being pumped anymore and flows to one side of the body giving the appearance of bruising. Eventually it dries out, so technically it's not clotting.

Blood clotting is caused by the body in response to a wound. It won't randomly clot in the body because it's always moving, unless there's something wrong with our circulatory system, which in that case may lead to strokes or something similar.

Answer 3

See, when you die, your heart stops beating. Blood stops flowing. Cells don't receive oxygen. Cells that create antigens for viri and bacteria, etc. in the body stop working. Some bacteria feed on the body itself and grow out of control. Their waste products fill up the blood vessels and cause arterial blockage.

Answer 4

it takes blood being stationary for it to clot. if it happens when it's supposed to be moving that's not a good thing - that's a risk for stroke etc.

Answer 5

Because it is moving and being nourished and oxygenized, and is kept at a steady temperature.

Answer 6

because it has no oxygen and it is not being pumped around.