Hi I Asked A Question Earlier But Do Not Think

Posted on Tue, 4 Feb 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 4 Feb 2020 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I asked a question earlier but do not think I was very clear when explaining my query so I wanted to ask again. When I clench my throat I can see small area (could be a vein?) behind my right tonsil that begins to turn purple and swell into a tiny bump. When my throat is not clenched you cannot notice the area in question Can I ask: Is this normal? What could it be? Is it just a vein? Should I be worried ? I am a fit and healthy 35 year old male with no other symptoms. No sore throat, no difficulty in swallowing etc. Attached are photos with the area circled. The photos are of my throat clenched and unclenched. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rajat Basak (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hii. It looks like you are referring to the posterior tonsillar pillar. If

Detailed Answer:
Hii. It looks like you are referring to the posterior tonsillar pillar. If you are clenching the jaw, the posterior tonsillar pillar gets prominent and the underlying vessels gets more congested. That can result to a small bump. It's normal only. No need to worry as you don't have any symptoms. But if you are taking too much stress then you can visit an ent surgeon and get your tonsillectomy done and get rid of the bump.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad