What happens during agonal edema?

Agonal edema refers to a condition where blood serum escapes from the intravascular space into extravascular locations, typically occurring during the dying process. This phenomenon can result in the accumulation of fluid in various tissues and can affect how the body appears at death. The escape of blood serum signifies that the vascular system is failing, leading to a loss of fluid balance and contributing to the characteristic changes seen in cadavers.

Fluid retention in the lungs, build-up of fluids in the abdominal cavity, and fluid absorption into the bloodstream do not accurately describe the process associated with agonal edema. Instead, agonal edema specifically involves the movement of fluid out of the blood vessels, indicating a breakdown in normal physiological functions as the body approaches death. Understanding this process helps in recognizing the signs of impending death and the physiological changes that occur in the body during that time.