26/10/2025
🫁 A tragic reminder of how fast a blocked airway can turn fatal.
This preserved specimen shows the lungs and trachea of a 3-year-old who died after choking — the circled object (from a peanut) completely blocked the airway at the carina, the point where the windpipe splits into the left and right bronchi.
💔 In children under 4, food-related choking is one of the leading causes of preventable death.
Small foods — like nuts, grapes, hot dogs, or even tiny toys — can seal the airway perfectly, leaving no path for air to pass.
⚠️ Parents and caregivers, please remember:
• Cut food into very small, bite-sized pieces.
• Avoid giving nuts, popcorn, or hard candy to toddlers.
• Learn how to perform back blows and the Heimlich maneuver.
⏱️ Seconds matter. Awareness saves lives. ❤️
