Which term refers to applying pressure to the neck to restrict airflow?

The term that refers to applying pressure to the neck to restrict airflow is strangulation. This involves the compression of the neck structures, specifically targeting the airway and blood vessels, which can lead to interference with normal breathing and circulation. Strangulation can occur through various means, such as manual choking, ligature strangulation (using a rope or similar object), or any other method that exerts force on the neck.

Suffocation relates to the deprivation of oxygen due to obstruction of the airways or prevention of respiration, but it does not specifically involve pressure applied to the neck. Positional asphyxia occurs when a person's position prevents adequate airflow, typically when they are in a restrictive or vulnerable position rather than due to direct pressure on the neck. Choking involves blockage of the airway by an object, which disrupts airflow, but it is not specifically about applying pressure on the neck area. Thus, strangulation is the most precise term for the act of applying pressure to the neck that restricts airflow.