Description
Oesophagus and Heart Piercing
Oesophagus and Heart Piercing. Two pieces - one metal rod mounted that had pierced the oesophagus and into the heart. Specimen in perspex pot. Possible sword swallowing incident. Together with OESOPH.15.2 (the sword).
Sword swallowers have desensitised their gag reflex. Side effects can include sore throats – ‘sword throats’ – and chest pain. Punctures can happen, but are rarely fatal. In this case, the sword pierced both the oesophagus (food pipe) and heart. You can see black spots of clotted blood where heart moved against the sword while it was still beating. Accidents like this usually happen if the sword swallower becomes distracted.
Collection
University College Hospital/Middlesex Hospital
Accession Number
LDUCPC-UCH-MX.OESOPH.15.1
Alternative Number
OESOPH.15.1, BN1036
Administration Name
UCL Pathology Collections
