TONSILLAR CALCULUS Meaning and
Definition
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Tonsillar calculus, also known as tonsil stones or tonsilloliths, is a medical condition characterized by the formation of small, hard calcified deposits in the crevices of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small, roundish masses of lymphatic tissue located on each side of the back of the throat. These tonsils contain crevices, known as crypts, which can trap debris such as bacteria, dead cells, and mucus.
When these substances accumulate and become trapped in the depths of the tonsil crypts, they can harden and form tonsillar calculus. The exact composition of these deposits can vary, but they often consist of calcium salts, magnesium salts, and other minerals.
Tonsillar calculus typically presents as whitish or yellowish lumps or stones embedded within the tonsils. They are usually small in size, ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. While they may not always cause noticeable symptoms, they can sometimes result in bad breath, sore throat, ear pain, difficulty swallowing, or a persistent metallic taste in the mouth.
Treatment for tonsillar calculus usually involves conservative measures such as practicing good oral hygiene, including regular gargling with warm salt water or mouth rinses. In more severe cases, where symptoms are persistent or significantly troublesome, medical intervention may be necessary. Treatments can include manual removal of the stones, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils), or laser treatment to destroy the calcified deposits.
It is important to note that tonsillar calculus is generally not a serious medical condition, but consulting a healthcare professional is recommended for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
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Amygdalolith, tonsillolith, a calcareous concretion in the substance of the tonsil.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TONSILLAR CALCULUS
Etymology of TONSILLAR CALCULUS
The word "tonsillar calculus" has the following etymology:
1. Tonsillar: Derived from the word "tonsil", which refers to either of the two masses of lymphatic tissue situated on either side of the throat at the back of the tongue. The term "tonsil" originates from the Latin "tonsillae", meaning "tonsils" or "tonsillary glands".
2. Calculus: Derived from the Latin term "calculus", which originally meant "pebble" or "small stone". In the medical context, calculus refers to a mass or concretion formed by the accumulation of mineral salts, typically found in various parts of the body such as the kidneys, gallbladder, or salivary glands.
Therefore, "tonsillar calculus" refers to a small stone-like formation or concretion that develops in the tonsils, most commonly composed of calcium salts.
