Thanatology: 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Thanatology

Sample item

Tache noire is a post-mortem sign involving which tissue?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The sclera

Tache noire is a brownish-black horizontal band on the sclera that appears when the eyelids stay open after death and the exposed sclera dries. It is a sign of death and appears within a few hours.

Option by option

  • A. The skin of the abdomen

    Green discolouration of the abdomen is an early putrefaction sign.

  • B. The tongue

    The tongue may protrude in hanging but is not the site of tache noire.

  • C. The sclera (correct)

    Correct. It is a drying artefact of the exposed sclera.

  • D. The nails

    Nails are examined for cyanosis or poisoning, not tache noire.

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.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, The sclera. Tache noire is a brownish-black horizontal band on the sclera that appears when the eyelids stay open after death and the exposed sclera dries.

Why is "The skin of the abdomen" not the answer?

Green discolouration of the abdomen is an early putrefaction sign.

Why is "The tongue" not the answer?

The tongue may protrude in hanging but is not the site of tache noire.

Why is "The nails" not the answer?

Nails are examined for cyanosis or poisoning, not tache noire.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thanatology in Forensic Medicine. It is a sign of death and appears within a few hours.

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?

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.