Asphyxial deaths: neck hold by forearm: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Asphyxial deaths: neck hold by forearm

Sample item

A robber grips the neck of a victim from behind in the crook of his elbow. The victim loses consciousness within seconds and recovers when released. There is no ligature mark. What is the chief mechanism?

ACompression of the carotid arteries and sinusesBFracture of the hyoid boneCCarbon dioxide narcosisDClosure of the trachea by the forearm

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Compression of the carotid arteries and sinuses

A neck hold compresses the carotid arteries and stimulates the carotid sinus, giving cerebral ischaemia and reflex bradycardia. Unconsciousness occurs within seconds, and external marks may be absent. It is also called mugging and can be fatal if applied for long.

Option by option

A. Compression of the carotid arteries and sinuses (correct)
Correct. Reduced carotid flow and sinus stimulation produce rapid unconsciousness.
B. Fracture of the hyoid bone
A hyoid fracture is not required and would not cause such a quick, reversible loss of consciousness.
C. Carbon dioxide narcosis
Carbon dioxide narcosis develops slowly and would not cause collapse within seconds.
D. Closure of the trachea by the forearm
The airway is not the main target, and tracheal closure would take longer to cause unconsciousness.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Compression of the carotid arteries and sinuses. A neck hold compresses the carotid arteries and stimulates the carotid sinus, giving cerebral ischaemia and reflex bradycardia.

Why is "Fracture of the hyoid bone" not the answer?

A hyoid fracture is not required and would not cause such a quick, reversible loss of consciousness.

Why is "Carbon dioxide narcosis" not the answer?

Carbon dioxide narcosis develops slowly and would not cause collapse within seconds.

Why is "Closure of the trachea by the forearm" not the answer?

The airway is not the main target, and tracheal closure would take longer to cause unconsciousness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Asphyxial deaths: neck hold by forearm in Forensic Medicine. Unconsciousness occurs within seconds, and external marks may be absent. It is also called mugging and can be fatal if applied for long.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Asphyxial deaths: neck hold by forearm?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.