Asphyxia
From Ganfyd
ΕΤΥΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ
Latin, from Greek. a = not + sphuxis = throb (from sphyzein), i.e. cessation of throbbing. Cessation of a pulse is the final endpoint of anoxia, but as asphyxiation is primarily about oxygenation and ventilation, the root word in not entirely accurate.Interference with oxygenation and/or ventilation, usually mechanical, leading to increasing hypoxia and eventually anoxia.
Causes
- Lack of atmospheric oxygen due to environment
- enclosed in small space
- deep well in chalk (accumulation of CO2)
- grain silo
- Suffocation
- e.g. homicide with pillow or accidental with plastic bags
- Choking
- usually foreign bodies
- Strangulation
- manual
- ligature
- hanging(of the non-execution type) "suspension from a ligature".
- Drowning
- Traumatic asphyxia -chest compression preventing respiratory movements.
Features
- Facial congestion
- Facial oedema
- Facial cyanosis
- petechial haemorrhages of face and eyes
This article is a stub. Please feel free to expand it and make it more encyclopaedic.
