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tonsillar

tonsillar

1 7.1
Relating to the small glands at the back of the throat
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɒnsɪlər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tonsilar
  • The tonsillar swelling indicated that the patient had an infection in the throat.
  • tonsillar fossa
  • tonsillar tissue
  • tonsillar hypertrophy

Examples

  • After both tonsils were completely removed, the tonsillar fossae were thoroughly examined for any evidence of bleeding.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The doctor recommended a tonsillar examination to assess the patient's recurrent throat problems.

  • Innovative new techniques to resect tonsillar tissue have been described in the recent literature.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Its effectiveness in treating recurrent tonsillar infections has not yet been established.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Its use is generally reserved for the treatment of obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Tonsillar tissue is different from other lymphoid tissues because the tonsillar surface contains deep crypts.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Dr. Bent uses the powered microdebrider regularly for patients with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy.

    Academic text (2004)
  • For all these indications, most clinicians advocate the complete removal of the tonsillar tissues via standard dissection.

    Academic text (2004)
  • All patients had been diagnosed with either tonsillar hypertrophy, recurring acute tonsillitis, or chronic tonsillitis.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Recurrent tonsillar infections can cause significant discomfort and may require medical intervention.

Surface Forms

tonsillar positive

Morphology

tonsillar = tonsil (transparent) = tonsill + ar

Derived directly from 'tonsil' with the adjectival suffix '-ar' meaning 'relating to', so learners who know 'tonsil' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Tonsillar comes from tonsil, which in turn comes from the Latin tonsilla, a word meaning 'little throat gland'. So tonsillar means 'relating to the small glands at the back of the throat'.