lumbar vertebrae the five vertebrae between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum. vertebra magÂ´na the sacrum. odontoid vertebra the second cervical vertebra, or axis. vertebra plaÂ´na a condition of spondylitis in which the body of the vertebra is reduced to a sclerotic disk.
Generally, in the early stages of drowning, very little water enters the lungs: a small amount of water entering the trachea causes a muscular spasm that seals the airway and prevents the passage of both air and water until unconsciousness occurs.
Rigor mortis sets in around two to six hours after death. Decomposition: For a few days after death, some cells (such as skin cells) are still alive. Because of this, the live bacteria starts to break down and putrefy the body. Colour: First the body turns green, then purple, and then eventually black.