lumbar vertebrae the five vertebrae between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum. vertebra magÂ´na the sacrum. odontoid vertebra the second cervical vertebra, or axis. vertebra plaÂ´na a condition of spondylitis in which the body of the vertebra is reduced to a sclerotic disk.
Generally, in the early stages of drowning, very little water enters the lungs: a small amount of water entering the trachea causes a muscular spasm that seals the airway and prevents the passage of both air and water until unconsciousness occurs.
A number of things happen during the final stages of death. As the body begins to shut down, the desire for food and water go away. Do not try to force liquids or food at this time. The ability to swallow is probably going away too, which means food and water can end up in the lungs and cause a great deal of distress.