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Someone posted about throat punches being illegal and why so. I've been working as a head and neck surgeon for the last 6-7 years and I would like to share my knowledge and experience with you.
The reason why we do not get punched in the throat often is because we use our chin to protect it as a natural reflex. Try and imagine yourselves being punched in the throat, your natural reaction will be that of flexing your head and/or lift your shoulder if the punch is coming from the side.
Now, the problem with blows to the throat, especially in a fight, is larynx trauma which can lead to swelling and haematoma, potentially causing an obstruction of the upper airway which is a life threatening emergency that requires intubation (if possible) or more often than not tracheostomy.
Luckily enough you need a great amount of force to cause a major laryngeal fracture, so all things combined it is quite infrequent to see such injuries in the octagon.
The reason why we do not get punched in the throat often is because we use our chin to protect it as a natural reflex. Try and imagine yourselves being punched in the throat, your natural reaction will be that of flexing your head and/or lift your shoulder if the punch is coming from the side.
Now, the problem with blows to the throat, especially in a fight, is larynx trauma which can lead to swelling and haematoma, potentially causing an obstruction of the upper airway which is a life threatening emergency that requires intubation (if possible) or more often than not tracheostomy.
Luckily enough you need a great amount of force to cause a major laryngeal fracture, so all things combined it is quite infrequent to see such injuries in the octagon.