Deadly trauma

Captured Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in the hospital unable to speak due to severe neck injuries. His wounds are described as serious and he is on a ventilator. Few emergencies pose as great a challenge as neck trauma. Because many of the bodys systems (e.g., airway, vascular, PALATINE TONSILS neurological, gastroSIDE VIEW Can be seen on left and right sides at intestinal) are all within back of throat; assist in production of a compact area, a single Adenoids antibodies to ght infections penetrating wound is capable of considerable Soft harm.
palate

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

A look at the bodys systems in the throat

Airway blockage and extreme rapid blood loss pose the most immediate risks to life with a penetrating wound to the throat.

SPINAL CORD

Nose

Descends from the brain down the middle of the back. Connects your brain to the nerves throughout the body. If the spinal cord is damaged, then quadriplegia or other neurological problems may occur. Death may also occur.

Enables you to talk, swallow and taste Mouth

TONGUE

FRONT VIEW

Assist in production of antibodies to ght infections

LINGUAL TONSILS

JUGULAR VEIN

Thin ap that covers entrance to larynx during swallowing, preventing food from entering trachea Thyroid cartilage Front view area Spine Bump (Adams apple) in front of throat, protects vocal cords Twin mucous membranes (commonly called vocal cords) stretched across the larynx that vibrate, helping to create sound; also prevent food, drink and saliva from entering the windpipe Commonly called the voice box, sound is generated here

EPIGLOTTIS

Brings deoxygenated blood from head back to heart

THYROID CARTILAGE VOCAL FOLDS

CAROTID ARTERY

Delivers newly oxygenated blood from heart to head and neck Death can occur within minutes of a cut to either major blood pathway; blood will spray from a carotid artery injury, but not a jugular injury.

TRACHEA

ESOPHAGUS
Trachea Tube that carries food, liquid and saliva from your mouth to the stomach; about 9 long

THYROID GLAND

Helps make energy, keep body temperature regulated and assists other organs

Also called the windpipe, its a tube that connects the nose and mouth to lungs Any damage is potentially life-threatening because of its role in respiration.

LARYNX

Vocal folds (cords) and the space between them

GLOTTIS

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY MEGAN DINNER/QMI AGENCY LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/QMIGRAPHICS