Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this one? I have been to a Doctor, Dentist, and ENT. I have a few tonsil crypts that have been pointed out as the cause for pain in my throat(I don't know if that is it). I have chewed for 4 years but recently quit, only smoked for about a month, and drank a bit from time to time. I was looking at my tonsil to try and find a problem area and found a small raised circlular bump. it is probably 3mm tall and the diameter is only about half the diameter of a pencil eraser maybe smaller. It is skin colored and near the bottom of the tonsil (from what i can see when looking in my mouth). but it tends to hide just slightly behind the arch in my mouth. I think I remember telling the ent about it. but he probably would have saw it anyways. Does anyone know what this bump could be?

Hello knorsk

Your doctors should have spotted a mouth cancer. Hopefully the pictures of normal appearances in Examination Technique with Normal Findings and Structures Mistaken for Disease will help reassure you. Some lumps seen at the back of the tongue are often part of the normal scenery.There are large bumps on the top surface of the back of the tongue called circumvallate papillae located along the "circumvallate line" and contain taste buds that confer the sense of sour and bitter to the back of the tongue. A lingual tonsil can also be quite prominent and are mistaken by patients for cancerous growths .

There are many other causes of throat pain like TMJ disorders.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Thanks for the help. Is there any way that circumvallate papillae can be located on the bottom middle of the lingual tonsil. Because the bump looks like circumvallate papillae but it is on the middle of the lingual tonsil. Only on the one side, the other tonsil doesn't have a bump? I can only see it when I move the palatoglossal arch/flap? Is it still just normal scenery?

Hi knorsk

It would be best to ask your dentist or ENT specialist about it if you are still concerned.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

for the past month i have had this feeling in the back of my throght. it feels like i have a huge piece of food stuck under my tounge. i have stuck my finger back there and triedto get it out. then the other day i felt the huge lump....... the size of a macadamia nut. its on the side of my tounge, skin colored, and near where my wisdom tooth used to be. i have read this forum today looking for answers. looked at pictures of so many diff oral issues, and read too much on cancer and other ailments, that im terrified. this lump has been causing me to vomit while brushing my teeth, and have biten down on it once or twice. so upon reading i have learned that if it was a normal growth then it would be on both sides of the mouth... correct? well its not. this is not circumvallte papillae's its on the side of my tongue. its been around for awhile it just has gotten much much bigger. i dont have insurance, no money, and am getting ready to have my first child with my wife. the last thing i need is to take away from my wife and our unborn child. any idea what this may be, i could post a pic if you need it.

Hello Roadrash

I suggest that you see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. It might turn out to be a normal variation (e.g. lingual tonsil) but unless a proper diagnosis is made, we are all guessing. A biopsy might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod