"Tonsillitis" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Inflammation of the tonsils, which are masses of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat. The tonsils can become swollen and painful, making it difficult to swallow or speak. It is often caused by a bacterial infection, most commonly caused by Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (GABHS) and can be treated with antibiotics.
A tonsillolith is a small, hard piece of debris that forms on the surface of the tonsils when bacteria, mucous, and dead cells accumulate and calcify. It is also known as a calculus or tonsil stone. Tonsilloliths are usually odorless, but they can cause bad breath, discomfort, or difficulty swallowing if they become large enough. They are often white or yellowish in color and can be seen at the back of the throat, covered in the epithelial lining of the tonsillar crypts.