India, Aug. 13 -- Lindsay Clancy's ability to speak after she suffered severe injuries to her neck has become a point of discussion amid her trial. Some have questioned if a person could talk after sustaining what has been described as a "crushed thyroid."

The Massachusetts mother is facing three counts of murder in the killings of her children Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months. The proceedings are taking place in a Plymouth, Massachusetts, courtroom.

James J. Chao, M.D., FACS, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of VedaNu Wellness, spoke to Parade and explained what the phrase actually means in the trauma world.

"Thyroid crushed almost always refers to the thyroid cartilage: the shield-like structure that surrounds the voice b...