For many of us, tonsillitis brings back memories of painful throats, sleepless nights, and endless cups of warm tea. For some, recurring bouts of tonsillitis lead to one final solution: tonsil removal. After the surgery, you might assume you’ve said a permanent goodbye to those troublesome glands. But what if that’s not the case? Shockingly, your tonsils can grow back, sparking disbelief and horror among those who thought they were free of them for good.
What Are Tonsils and Why Are They Removed?
Tonsils are small, soft tissues located at the back of your throat. They’re part of your immune system and help fight infections. However, when tonsils become inflamed and infected repeatedly—a condition known as chronic tonsillitis—they can do more harm than good.
For many people, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) offers relief from the endless cycle of pain, fever, and sore throats. The procedure is especially common in children but can also be performed on adults.
Can Tonsils Really Grow Back? The Science Behind It
It sounds like a scene from a medical horror movie, but yes, your tonsils can grow back. Here’s why: during a tonsillectomy, surgeons aim to remove as much tonsil tissue as possible. However, the base of the tonsils, which is embedded in the surrounding throat tissue, often remains intact. This residual tissue can regenerate and, in some cases, grow back to its original size.
According to a document from the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, the “lower pole” of the tonsil, which extends into the base of the tongue, is usually left behind to minimize the risk of severe bleeding during surgery. Occasionally, this remaining tissue regenerates and leads to new tonsil growth.
