Hanging causes asphyxia by obstructing which of the following?

Hanging causes asphyxia by obstructing which of the following?

• A. Blood and air flow
• B. Skin and muscle tissues
• C. Nerve functions
• D. Circulation to extremities

Answer: (A)

Hanging causes asphyxia primarily by obstructing blood and air flow, which is why this answer is correct. When an individual is hanged, the ligature applied around the neck restricts both the airway and the blood vessels in the area. This pressure can compress the trachea, blocking airflow to the lungs, and it can also compress the carotid arteries and jugular veins, disrupting blood flow to and from the brain. The combination of impaired respiration and blood circulation leads to a rapid onset of asphyxia. The other options do not capture the primary mechanism of asphyxia in hanging. While skin and muscle tissues may experience effects from decreased blood flow, they are not the main components obstructed during hanging. Nerve functions can be impacted indirectly through lack of blood flow, but again, this is not the primary cause of asphyxia. Lastly, circulation to the extremities can be affected by pressure on blood vessels, but it is the interruption of the flow of air and blood in critical areas that primarily leads to asphyxia, making the first choice the most accurate.

Hanging causes asphyxia primarily by obstructing blood and air flow, which is why this answer is correct. When an individual is hanged, the ligature applied around the neck restricts both the airway and the blood vessels in the area. This pressure can compress the trachea, blocking airflow to the lungs, and it can also compress the carotid arteries and jugular veins, disrupting blood flow to and from the brain. The combination of impaired respiration and blood circulation leads to a rapid onset of asphyxia.

The other options do not capture the primary mechanism of asphyxia in hanging. While skin and muscle tissues may experience effects from decreased blood flow, they are not the main components obstructed during hanging. Nerve functions can be impacted indirectly through lack of blood flow, but again, this is not the primary cause of asphyxia. Lastly, circulation to the extremities can be affected by pressure on blood vessels, but it is the interruption of the flow of air and blood in critical areas that primarily leads to asphyxia, making the first choice the most accurate.