LACUNAR TONSILLITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Lacunar tonsillitis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation and infection of the tonsils, specifically the gaps or spaces within the tonsils called lacunae. The tonsils are part of the immune system and are located at the back of the throat. They act as filters, trapping harmful bacteria and viruses to prevent them from entering the body. However, when the tonsils become infected, they can swell and develop white or yellowish spots, known as exudates, within the lacunae.
This condition typically occurs as a result of a bacterial infection, most commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus). It is often associated with symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, headache, and sometimes ear pain. The presence of white or yellowish spots on the tonsils, which may be accompanied by bad breath, is a key diagnostic feature of lacunar tonsillitis.
Treatment for lacunar tonsillitis usually involves the administration of antibiotics to eliminate the bacterial infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers and warm saltwater gargles can help alleviate symptoms and reduce inflammation. In severe cases or when the condition becomes recurrent, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) may be recommended.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of lacunar tonsillitis are important to prevent complications such as abscess formation within the tonsils or the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
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Inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the tonsillar crypts.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LACUNAR TONSILLITIS
- lacu nar tonsillitis
- lacun ar tonsillitis
- lacuna r tonsillitis
- lacunar t onsillitis
- lacunar to nsillitis
- lacunar ton sillitis
- lacunar tons illitis
- lacunar tonsi llitis
- lacunar tonsil litis
- lacunar tonsill itis
- lacunar tonsilli tis
- lacunar tonsillit is
- lacunar tonsilliti s
Etymology of LACUNAR TONSILLITIS
The word "lacunar tonsillitis" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek:
1. "Lacunar" is derived from the Latin word "lacuna", meaning "a hollow space or cavity". In the context of medicine, it specifically refers to small depressions or pits on the surface of the tonsils.
2. "Tonsillitis" comes from the Latin "tonsilla", which means "tonsil" (a small mass of lymphoid tissue in the throat). The suffix "-itis" comes from Greek and denotes inflammation.
Therefore, "lacunar tonsillitis" combines the Latin word "lacunar" describing the pits on the tonsils, with the term "tonsillitis" indicating inflammation of the tonsils.
