External Findings
Ligature Mark
- Present above thyroid cartilage
- Oblique
- Non-continuous
- Directed upward towards knot
- Pale, dry and parchmentized
Face
- Usually pale
- May be congested in atypical cases
Salivary Dribbling
- Saliva trickles from angle of mouth
- Characteristic sign of antemortem hanging
Tongue
- May protrude
- May be swollen
Eyes
- Congested conjunctiva
- Petechial hemorrhages may be present
Neck
- Elongation of neck may be present
Internal Findings
Neck Structures
- Subcutaneous tissue beneath ligature mark — Pale and glistening; compressed.
- Neck muscles — May show hemorrhage.
- Carotid arteries — Amussat's sign — Transverse tear of intima of carotid artery.
- Internal jugular vein — Martin's sign — Rupture of intima of jugular vein.
- Hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage — Fracture may occur, especially in elderly persons.