MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Tonsillectomy

Medical Encyclopedia

Tonsillectomy

The tonsils are made up of lymphoid tissue and help fight against infections. However, in some people, particularly in children with larger tonsils, these glands can perform less efficiently and cause frequent throat and ear infections or obstruct breathing. In these cases, surgical removal of the tonsils, a tonsillectomy, is beneficial.

Update Date: 10/20/2006

Updated by: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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