tonsils

/ tŏn′səlz /

1. The two oval-shaped masses of tissue at the back of the throat that lie between the mouth and the pharynx. The tonsils are thought to prevent infections of the breathing passages but often become infected themselves.

tonsils

1. Two masses of tissue on either side of the throat. The tonsils, part of the lymphatic system , help defend the body against harmful microorganisms .

Notes

Formerly, tonsils were often removed surgically in childhood, but now they are not, unless the tonsils have grown too large or are continually subject to infection .

Example Sentences

Think the Frogtown settlers rinsed their tonsils with something that was “too wet to plow and too thick to drink”?

From The Daily Beast

Here's a transcript in case you're at the vet waiting for your cat's tonsils to be removed.

From The Daily Beast

The procedure is now the most common surgery performed in the U.S.—more common than getting your tonsils or appendix removed.

From The Daily Beast

Vincent's angina is a chronic pseudomembranous and ulcerative inflammation of pharynx and tonsils.

From Project Gutenberg

The uvula, the pillars of the palate, and the tonsils are parts of the structure.

From Project Gutenberg

Almonds (′mundz), the tonsils or glands of the throat, so called from their resemblance to the fruit of the almond-tree.

From Project Gutenberg

Quinsy, kwin′zi, n. an inflammatory affection of the substance of the tonsils, attended when fully developed by suppuration.

From Project Gutenberg

If present, tonsils can be conveniently removed at this stage.

From Project Gutenberg