[techfreak76]

Thank you for sharing. I love Medical Pictures because you can learn really much.

[Grannyg]

Originally Posted by kadezko ↗

Dumb question but what scientifically causes that foam that comes out of drowning victims? And their tongue to swell? The salt?

Kadezko, I hope this helps somewhat:

Answer/ Question #1: Our lungs naturally contain mucus that helps keep them clean and well lubricated for normal lung function. If a drowning person inhales a small amount of water, it mixes with the mucus in their lungs. This can mix with air and produce foam.

Answer/ Question#2: Studies showed that 86% of all bodies examined did not show a protruded tongue, although 92.8% of these bodies were in a state of fresh rigor mortis.....so the older the death, the more you may see this tongue protrusion & edema of the mucosal tissues. But, tongue protrusion was more prevalent in certain causes of death, namely, hangings, burnings, and drownings. Also studies/ autopsies confirmed tongue swelling was due to "angioedema". (Angioedema is the swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, caused by a build-up of fluid. This can happen in the subcutaneous tissues and/or submucosal tissues circumscribed non-pitting edema affecting lips, face, neck. The symptoms of angioedema can affect any part of the body, but swelling usually affects the: eyes, lips, tongue, etc.)
Along with the tongue, some patients also had swelling of the lips, pharynx, and larynx.

This is why it makes sense that this would occur in hangings (Fluid trapped in oral tissue due to the rope or hanging device, burnings (Fluid trapped due to lack of 02 from the smoke or worse....the fire itself), and lastly drownings (what makes foam, also leaves lack of 02, thus leaving room for fluid to build up in mucous tissue upon or after death.)