Asphyxia (Hanging & Strangulation) Flashcards
Definition of asphyxia:
It is a condition that if oxygen supply to the blood and tissues is reduced because of interferance with respiration.
A long but typical answer will earn you a full score in the Short Note
Other names of asphyxia:
Anoxia or anoxemia: oxygen reduced in blood
Hypoxia: oxygen reduced in tissues
Hypoxic hypoxia: defective oxygenation of blood in the lung
Stagnant : lack of oxygen delivery due to blood stasis
Classical signs of asphyxia:
- Cyanosis
- Petechial hemorrhages
- Congestion and oedema
Petechial hemorrhage is due to:
Rupture of venules
When are petechial hemorrhages related to asphyxia?
They appear in place above compression:
Face (forehead, sclera, and eyelid) in case of hanging or strangulation
Other names of petechial hemorrhages that appear due to violent asphyxial death:
Tardieu’s spots
Mechanical or violent asphyxial death:
Hanging (mainly suicidal)
Strangulation (mainly homicidal)
Suffocation (mainly accidental)
Drowning (mainly accidental)
Definition of strangulation:
Form of asphyxia caused by the construction of neck by ligature or by manual without suspending the body
Definition of hanging
Form of asphyxial death which is caused by the suspension of the body by ligature which encircules the neck.
Types of strangulation:
- By ligature
- By manual (throttling)
Types of hanging
- Complete
- Partial
- Typical
- Atypical
Mechanism of death in hanging
- Asphyxia.
- Cerebral congestion.
- Cerebral anorexia.
- Reflex vagal inhibition.
- Fracture dislocation of cervical vertebrae and herniation of brain stem.
How many kg neads to occlude the following structures:
1. Carotid a.
2. Jugular vein.
3. Trachea.
- Carotid a –> 5 kg
- Jugular vein –> 2 kg
- Trachea –> 15kg
