[2] Traumatic asphyxia is characterized by cyanosis in the upper extremities, neck, and head as well as petechiae in the conjunctiva.

[6] Exhalation against the closed glottis along with the traumatic event causes air that cannot escape from the thoracic cavity.

Instead, the air causes increased venous back-pressure, which is transferred back to the heart through the right atrium, to the superior vena cava and to the head and neck veins and capillaries.

[4] Patients are seen with a cyanotic discoloration of the shoulder skin and neck and face, jugular distention, bulging of the eyeballs, and swelling of the tongue and lips.

The latter two are resultants of edema, caused by excessive blood accumulating in the veins of the head and neck and venous stasis.