What is traumatic asphyxia a result of?

Traumatic asphyxia is specifically caused by the sudden compression of the thorax, which can result from significant force applied to the chest area. This type of injury often leads to the inability of the lungs to expand properly, which dramatically limits airflow and oxygen intake. The intense pressure can collapse the ribcage and impede blood flow to and from the heart and lungs, causing a rapid onset of symptoms associated with asphyxia, such as cyanosis and loss of consciousness.

The other options presented refer to different medical scenarios. Obstruction of the airway pertains to a blockage that prevents airflow, which can also lead to asphyxia but is not classified as traumatic asphyxia. Internal bleeding in the chest cavity suggests hemorrhaging that might affect cardiovascular stability and respiratory effort but does not specifically denote the mechanism of asphyxia resulting from thoracic compression. Lastly, a gradual loss of oxygen supply indicates a slow decline in oxygen availability often due to respiratory conditions, rather than the acute event of trauma that defines traumatic asphyxia.