Tonsil stone
A tiny stone (calculus) in the tonsils.
These stones, called tonsilloliths, are found within little pockets (crypts) in the tonsils that typically form in chronic recurrent tonsillitis and harbor bacteria.
The stones are foul-smelling. They tend to contain high quantities of sulfa. When crushed, they give off the characteristic rotten egg smell which is well known to cause bad breath.
Tonsilloliths may also give the sense of something being caught in the back of the throat.
Also referred to as a tonsillith.
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- Tonsillectomy Medical Definition
The surgical removal of both tonsils. This procedure is sometimes performed together with the removal of the adenoid, known as an adenoidectomy. Recurrent infections or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in sleep-disordered children are among the reasons that a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy may be performed.
- Tonsillitis
Inflammation of one or both tonsils, typically as a result of infection by a virus or ‘bacteria.
- Tonsillolith
A tiny stone (calculus) in the tonsils. Such stones are found within little pockets (crypts) in the tonsils. These pockets typically form in chronic recurrent tonsillitis, and they harbor bacteria. Tonsilloliths are foul smelling because they tend to contain high quantities of sulfur compounds. When crushed, they give off a characteristic rotten-egg smell and can […]
- Tonsils
Small masses of lymphoid tissue at the back and on both sides of the throat.
- Tooth
a hard crown above the gum line, which is attached to two or four roots by a portion called the neck. The roots are covered with a very thin layer of bone, and they keep the tooth embedded in the bones of the jaw. The exposed exterior of the tooth is covered with tough enamel. […]