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By Dr. Naveen
1. Definition:
It is a pathological changes caused
by lack of oxygen in respired air,
resulting in hypoxia and
hypercapnia.
Death is said to have occurred
due to asphyxia when, respiratory
function ceases first and initiates
the process of failure of the other
two vital systems.
In asphyxia, there is
prevention of exchange of
air between the atmosphere
and to the lungs alveoli and
there is lack of oxygen
supply to the tissues.
Asphyxia may be
mechanical, toxic,
traumatic or
pathological.
1). Mechanical
(1). Constriction
around or pressure
over the neck, as in
cases of hanging,
strangulation by
ligature ,throttling.
(2). Closure of the
external
respiratory
orifices, as in case
of smothering.
(3). Occlusion of the
respiratory passage
from inside, as in cases
of drowning, choking
and gagging.
(4). Restriction of the
respiratory movement
caused due to
compression over the
chest, as in cases of
traumatic asphyxia and
overlying.
2).Toxic
(1). Poisons which
depress the respiratory
centers, like –
opium,barbiturate,
CO2, H2S,chloroform,
bromides etc.
(2). Respiratory tract
irritants, like – irritant
volatile poisons or irritant
vapors, e.g., chlorine gas,
SO2, vapors of HNO3, HCL,
ammonia gas etc.
(3). Poisons which
affect the pick-
up,carriage, and
diffusion of oxygen at
the tissue level, like,
phosgene, CO,
(4). Lack of
oxygen in the
inhaled air.
(5). Poisons which
causes paralysis of the
respiratory muscle like,
muscle relaxants,
cobra snake venom.
3).Traumatic
(1). Injury to both
lungs.
(2). Pulmonary
hanging.
c. Abrasions and
bruises around the
mouth and nose in
case of smothering.
d. Abrasions and
bruises on the neck in
case of throttling.
2). Internal findings
(1). The organs are in
general congested.
Congestion is more
marked in deaths due to
asphyxia.
(2). The lungs are
congested, oedmatous
with presence of
Tardieu’s spots at the
undersurfaces of lobes.
(3). Tardieu’s spots are
also present at the
undersurfaces of the
pericardium and in the
brain and meninges.
(4). Vessels contain
dark fluid blood.
(5). According to the
specific causes of asphyxia,
there will be presence of
specific signs in different
organs like lungs, trachea
and larynx as in cases of
death due to drowning and
strangulations.
(6). Similarly, there will be
additional findings in the
structures of the neck,
inside the mouth cavity and
the chest wall, in cases of
compression of neck,
smothering and traumatic
asphyxia respectively.