Tardieu Spots
Definition
Minute petechial haemorrhages on the surface of visceral organs, pleura, and conjunctivae, produced by venous obstruction and raised intrathoracic pressure in asphyxia. Not specific to asphyxia but characteristic in pattern distribution.
Related terms
- Complete Hanging
- Hanging in which the body hangs freely with no supporting surface contact. The entire body weight acts through the ligature on the...
- 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...
- Incomplete Hanging
- Hanging in which part of the body (feet, knees, buttocks) remains in contact with a surface. Biomechanically equivalent to complete hanging because...
- Ligature Groove (Hanging)
- The pressure mark left by a ligature on the neck in hanging: pale, parchment-like, oblique, ascending, open at the nape of the...
- Ligature Groove (Strangulation)
- The mark left by a ligature applied with extrinsic force in strangulation: horizontal, complete (encircling the neck), below or at the thyroid...
- NAME
- National Association of Medical Examiners (US); the professional body that publishes standards for medico-legal autopsy, manner-of-death certification, and forensic pathology training.
- Salivary Drool Track
- A dried streak of saliva running from the corner of the mouth downward and toward the suspension point, seen in hanging and...
Explained in
- Hanging and Ligature StrangulationMinute petechial haemorrhages on the surface of visceral organs, pleura, and conjunctivae, produced by venous obstruction and raised intrathoracic pressure in...