Definition:
Somatic death is characterized by the discontinuance of cardiac activity and respiration, and eventually leads to the death of all body cells from lack of oxygen, although for approximately six minutes after somatic death—a period referred to as clinical death—a person whose vital organs have not been damaged may be revived.
Somatic death is characterized by the discontinuance of cardiac activity and respiration, and eventually leads to the death of all body cells from lack of oxygen, although for approximately six minutes after somatic death—a period referred to as clinical death—a person whose vital organs have not been damaged may be revived.
However, achievements of modern biomedical technology have enabled the physician to artificially maintain critical functions for indefinite periods.
Spource
Death. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05. Available at: http://www.bartleby.com/65/de/death.html
Also Known As: clinical death, physical death, body death
