Thanatology: postmortem foetal extrusion: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Thanatology: postmortem foetal extrusion

Sample item

A bloated, decomposing body of a woman who died near term is found with the foetus lying partly outside the vagina between her thighs. There was no history of labour or interference. What is the best explanation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Expulsion by the pressure of putrefactive gas in the abdomen

In advanced putrefaction, gas collecting in the abdomen raises the intra-abdominal pressure and can push the foetus out of the uterus after death (postmortem foetal extrusion, sometimes called coffin birth).

Option by option

  • A. Forcible removal during an attempted abortion

    An attempted abortion would leave instrumental injuries and a history, which are not described here.

  • B. A spontaneous delivery that took place just before death

    A delivery in life would have a separated placenta and signs of labour and bleeding, which are absent.

  • C. Uterine rupture during obstructed labour

    Uterine rupture would show a torn uterus with antemortem haemorrhage, not a foetus lying outside a bloated, intact body.

  • D. Expulsion by the pressure of putrefactive gas in the abdomen (correct)

    Correct. Putrefactive gas pressure can expel the foetus after death; there is no vital reaction.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Expulsion by the pressure of putrefactive gas in the abdomen. In advanced putrefaction, gas collecting in the abdomen raises the intra-abdominal pressure and can push the foetus out of the uterus after death (postmortem foetal extrusion, sometimes called coffin birth).

Why is "Forcible removal during an attempted abortion" not the answer?

An attempted abortion would leave instrumental injuries and a history, which are not described here.

Why is "A spontaneous delivery that took place just before death" not the answer?

A delivery in life would have a separated placenta and signs of labour and bleeding, which are absent.

Why is "Uterine rupture during obstructed labour" not the answer?

Uterine rupture would show a torn uterus with antemortem haemorrhage, not a foetus lying outside a bloated, intact body.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology: postmortem foetal extrusion in Forensic Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. Putrefactive gas pressure can expel the foetus after death; there is no vital reaction.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thanatology: postmortem foetal extrusion?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.