Define 'drowning'. Enumerate the different modes of death in a case of drowning. List the postmortem findings in a case of wet drowning.
Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid, which can result in death, morbidity, or no morbidity.
Different Modes of Death:
Asphyxia (Wet Drowning): Water enters lungs, washes out surfactant, leading to laryngospasm relaxation, hypoxemia, and cardiac arrest.
Dry Drowning: Persistent laryngospasm prevents water entry; death occurs from asphyxia.
Vagal Reflex/Cardiac Arrest: Sudden cold immersion triggers bradycardia, asystole, or ventricular fibrillation.
Circulatory Collapse: Prolonged cold-water immersion causes hypothermia and arrhythmias.
Secondary Drowning: Death occurs hours to days later due to ARDS or cerebral edema.
Postmortem Findings in Wet Drowning:
External: Fine froth at nostrils/mouth, cadaveric spasm, cutis anserina, washerwoman’s skin.
Internal: Lungs voluminous, heavy, waterlogged; tracheobronchial tree with froth/foreign material; stomach with swallowed water/mud; right heart dilated; diaphragm depressed.
Blood Chemistry: Chloride differences between heart chambers may aid diagnosis.
These findings collectively confirm drowning as the cause of death.
Answered By:
Sakshi Negi
Sakshi Negi is a Delhi-based journalist and content specialist with expertise in educational content and digital media, focusing particularly on government exam preparation and career guidance. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from NRAI School of Mass Communication and her background as a Kendriya Vidyalaya alumna, she brings unique insights into the Indian education system and government sector opportunities.
Similar Questions
Classify jaundice according to its aetiology. Make a tabular representation of the blood, urinary and stool findings observed in different types ofjaundice.
Describe the formation, course and branches of ulnar nerve. Which muscles do each of the branches supply? Why is ulnar nerve called the "musician's nerve"?
Name the nerves and their branches that supply the sole of the foot stating the specific area of their distribution. Explain in brief what is Morton's metatarsalgia.
With the help of a suitable diagram, explain the innervation and functions of muscle spindle.
Describe the process of generation and conduction of nerve impulses in humans. Add a note on saltatory conduction.
Using a well labelled diagram, trace the taste pathway from circumvallate papillae of tongue to the cerebral cortex.
Enumerate any five tests for the assessment of renal tubular functions. Explain the underlying principle and their interpretation.
Explain the role of biotin in intermediary metabolism with suitable examples. Add a note on the mechanism of action of any biotin-antagonist with its application in medicine.
Define Systemic Vascular Resistance and list its determinants. Briefly explain the role of its determinants.
Define cardiac output and describe the regulation of cardiac output in normal adults. Add a note on Cardiac Index and Cardiac Reserve.
Important Questions from Miscellaneous
Write a note in 150 words
Mendelian and non-Mendelian traits.Write a note in 150 words
Theoretical significance of Purum kinship-system.Write a note in 150 words
Smell as a signal among non-human primates.Write a note in 150 words
Osteodontokeratik culture and its makers.Discuss the Miocene hominoid remains and their significance in evolution.
