cadaveric

Cadaveric is an adjective relating to a cadaver, a dead human body used for medical or scientific purposes. The term is applied to phenomena, materials, or processes involving such bodies, including anatomical specimens, postmortem changes, and research materials derived from them.

Etymology and scope: Cadaveric derives from Latin cadaver, meaning a corpse, with the suffix -ic to form an adjective. In English usage, it commonly appears in medical, anatomical, and forensic contexts to indicate a connection to a dead body.

Uses and contexts: In medical education, cadaveric dissection provides direct visualization of human anatomy and variation. Cadaveric tissue and organs are used in transplantation research, device testing, and procedural training, all under ethical consent and regulatory oversight. In forensic pathology, cadaveric samples may be analyzed to determine cause or manner of death. The term also appears in descriptions of postmortem phenomena, such as cadaveric tremor—the brief involuntary tremor seen in some bodies immediately after death—and cadaveric spasm, a sudden rigid contraction of muscles at the moment of death.

Ethics and handling: Cadavers are typically donated through formal body donation programs with informed consent from the donor or their family. Institutions follow guidelines to ensure respectful handling, accurate documentation, and proper disposition of remains, aiming to preserve dignity and privacy.

See also: Forensics, anatomy, body donation, postmortem changes.