Dictionary

tooth root The lower two-thirds of a tooth. The roots are normally buried in bone, and they serve to anchor the tooth in position. The roots are covered with a thin layer of bone, and they are inserted into sockets in the bone of the jaw.

tooth erosion The gradual loss of the normally hard surface of the tooth due to chemical, not bacterial, processes.

tooth, wisdom One of the large molars in the very back of the jaw. The human jaw has changed in size over the course of evolution, and wisdom teeth are no longer needed, but they continue to erupt in many individuals. If the jaw is too small to accommodate them, they may cause pain or…

tooth One of the structures within the mouth that allow for biting and chewing. Teeth have different shapes, depending on their purpose. The sharp canine and incisor teeth allow for biting, and the flattened, thick molars in the back of the mouth provide grinding surfaces for masticating food. All teeth have essentially the same structure:…

tonsillolith A tiny stone (calculus) in the tonsils. Such stones are found within little pockets (crypts) in the tonsils. These pockets typically form in chronic recurrent tonsillitis, and they harbor bacteria. Tonsilloliths are foul smelling because they tend to contain high quantities of sulfur compounds. When crushed, they give off a characteristic rottenegg smell and…

tonsillitis Inflammation of one or both tonsils, typically as a result of infection by a virus or bacteria.

tonsillectomy The surgical removal of both tonsils.

tonsil stone See tonsillolith.

tonsil A small mass of lymphoid tissue in the back of the throat (pharynx). There are usually two tonsils, one on either side of the posterior pharynx. Like other lymphatic tissue, the tonsils are part of the immune system and should not be removed without a sufficient reason.

tonometry A standard eye test that is done to determine the fluid pressure inside the eye. Increased pressure is a possible sign of glaucoma, a common and potentially very serious problem if not detected and treated promptly. The pressure inside the eye is measured from the outside. In most cases, the pressure can be measured…

tongue tie A minor congenital anomaly in which the flap of mucous membrane under the tongue (known as the frenulum) is unusually short and limits somewhat the mobility of the tongue. The name tongue tie reflects the unfounded folk belief that with this condition, a child cannot feed or speak properly because the tongue is…

tongue A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered by the lingual membrane, which has special areas to detect different types of tastes. The tongue muscles are attached to the lower jaw and to the hyoid bone, a small, U-shaped bone that lies deep in the muscles…