Throat Anatomy for self defense

This page focuses on the underlying anatomy of the throat. The ear is one of the vital points that can be targeted in a self-defense situation.

Throat Structure

• Epiglotis: This is beneath the tongue and is a movable structure that closes the opening to the trachea so that that food and water do not get into the lungs.
• Hyoid Bone: This is a u-shaped bone that is at the same level as the epiglottis and helps support the tongue above it, it is a floating bone as it is not connected to any other bone.
• Larynx: This is the hollow structure beneath the epiglottis and houses the vocal cords and is attached to the hyoid bone.
• Vocal Cords: Are membranous folds that stretch along the side of the larynx and vibrate to produce sound.
• Thyroid Cartilage: This is the decent sized piece of cartilage that covers the outside of the larynx for protection and whose notable prominence is recognized as the Adams apple.
• Trachea: The open tube that leads down to the lungs.
• Tracheal Cartilate: This is cartilage that runs from the thyroid cartilage to just below the collar bone and to help protect the trachea from being closed.
• Carotid Artery: It runs along each side of trachea supplying blood flow to the brain.
• Vagus nerve: A pair of nerves that run along the trachea to many organs in the abdomen with predominant control over the heart influencing heart rate and blood pressure.

Techniques

• Two finger slap to the throat
• Finger strike to jugular notch
  • Close quarter version
• Panther strike to the throat
• Spear hand strike to the throat
• Knife hand push to the throat
• Chokes - some of which focus on the windpipe while others focus on the arteries stopping blood flow to the brain