There is a large white chunk in a fold on my tonsil and a rather bad taste in my mouth. The tonsil hurts a bit. I read a previous question from a person with a similar situation, and your suggestion was that it was food that could be removed with vigorous gargling. I have not been able to get the white chunk out of the pocket. There is no other white stuff elsewhere in my throat. Is this food that has rotted inside? Each time the white spot forms, it gets larger and larger until it finally breaks off. Also, there is a hard bump on the back of my tongue right where the tongue would meet this area of my tonsil. The lump is round, red and hard, but doesn't hurt. Is this something I should be concerned about? Thank you very much. > >
Reply: ----------------------------
Another method of removing difficult debris from tonsillar crypts is to use a water pik and irrigate the tonsil vigorously with a dilute salt water solution. Rarely tonsillar debris will become calcified (known as a tonsillolith) and if symptomatic, may require removal in a physician's office.
The "bump" you are describing on the tongue near the tonsil is most likely a structure of the tongue known as a circumvallate papilla. In fact there are several (8-10) of these "bumps" which form a V demarcating the front 2/3 of the tongue from the back 1/3. The circumvallate papillae contain numerous taste buds. However, if the "bump" you are describing is something newly discovered, and if it is symptomatic (ie tender or sore), then you should have a physician examine it.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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