B

Notes on Hangman's Knot and Spinal Injuries

The Hangman's Knot

  • The hangman's knot is characterized by coils, ideally 13 in number.
  • The bulky part of the knot is intended to strike the neck, specifically the cervical spine, but it often fails to do so effectively.
  • Hanging is not always effective, sometimes requiring strangulation to ensure death.

Spinal Injury Categories

  • Primary Injury: Occurs at the moment of impact.
  • Secondary Injury: Results from subsequent movement of tissues, including swelling.

Spinal Cord Compression

  • Mild forms can cause cord concussion, leading to brief, transient neurological deficits.

Spinal Cord Nerves

  • Spinal cord nerves are part of the central nervous system, similar to brain nerves.
  • They are located in the back and neck but function like brain nerves.
  • These nerves have a limited tolerance for trauma and little redundancy, making injuries catastrophic.

Spinal Cord Concussion

  • Similar mechanism to brain concussion.
  • Rapid back and forth movement, stretching, or torsion can disrupt neural impulses.
  • Can result in contusion, leading to ischemia in the cord.