Tonsillolith

A tiny stone (calculus) in the tonsils.

Also referred to as a tonsillith.</P> These stones, called tonsilloliths, are found within little pockets (crypts) in the tonsils that typically form in chronic recurrent tonsillitis and harbor bacteria.</P> The stones are foul-smelling.

They tend to contain high quantities of sulfa.

When crushed, they give off the characteristic rotten egg smell which is well known to cause bad breath.</P> Tonsilloliths may also give the sense of something being caught in the back of the throat.