28/12/2025
The Brodsky tonsil classification
It is a 0-to-4 scale used to grade tonsil size, measuring how much they fill the oropharynx (throat opening) between the anterior pillars, with higher numbers indicating larger tonsils (Grade 1: 75%)
0: Tonsils removed or completely within the tonsillar fossa (hidden)
1: Tonsils are small, just outside the fossa, occupying less than 25% of the oropharyngeal width.
2: Tonsils are enlarged, taking up 26% to 50% of the throat opening.
3: Tonsils are significantly enlarged, occupying 51% to 75% of the throat opening.
4: Tonsils are very large, "kissing tonsils," blocking more than 75% of the throat opening.
importance:
1.Diagnosis: Helps quantify tonsil hypertrophy (enlargement).
2.Treatment Planning: Grades 3 and 4 often indicate sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea, leading to recommendations for tonsillectomy.
3.Reliability: It's a standardized, reproducible tool for doctors to consistently assess tonsil size.
