Paltauf's Spots
Definition
Sub-pleural haemorrhagic patches on the lung surface, produced when the alveolar walls rupture under pressure during forced inhalation of water in drowning. Strong indicator of true drowning rather than post-mortem immersion.
Related terms
- Diatom Test
- A laboratory test for ante-mortem submersion in which bone marrow (from sealed femur diaphysis) is acid-digested and the diatom species identified in...
- Hyoid Bone Fracture
- Fracture of the U-shaped floating hyoid bone at the tongue base; uncommon in hanging (under 10%), more common in strangulation, especially in...
- Ligature Mark
- The impression left on the neck by a constricting band. Diagnostic features include level (above or below thyroid), direction (oblique vs horizontal),...
- Parchmentisation
- Post-mortem drying of pressure-blanched skin under a ligature, producing a dry, brown, leather-like band. Characteristic of hanging where the ligature stays in...
- Petechial Haemorrhages
- Pin-point haemorrhages on the conjunctivae, eyelids, face and behind the ears, caused by venous congestion above the level of obstruction. Prominent in...
Explained in
- Asphyxial Deaths: Hanging, Strangulation, Drowning, DiatomsSub-pleural haemorrhagic patches on the lung surface, produced when the alveolar walls rupture under pressure during forced inhalation of water in drowning. St...