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.

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  • 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. […]

  • Tooth and nail syndrome

    A genetic disorder characterized by the absence of several teeth at birth and abnormalities of the nails. The disorder is also known as hypodontia and nail dysgenesis or Witkop syndrome (TNS). It was first described by Dr. Carl Witkop in 1965. The tooth and nail defects in the syndrome are highly variable. The number and […]


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