What is a peritonsillar abscess?

A peritonsillar abscess is characterized as a deep collection of pus that forms adjacent to the tonsils, typically as a complication of tonsillitis. This condition usually occurs when an infection in the tonsils spreads to the surrounding tissues, leading to the formation of an abscess. It often presents with severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes a distinct shift in the position of the uvula toward the opposite side of the abscess.

Understanding this helps to clarify why the choice indicating a deep abscess adjacent to infected tonsils is the most accurate definition. The other options describe different aspects of tonsillar conditions or inflammation but do not specifically define what a peritonsillar abscess is. For instance, swelling of the tonsils refers to inflammation without the formation of pus, while a normal tonsil finding suggests a lack of any pathology, and redness of the throat pertains to general inflammation but does not specify location or the presence of an abscess. Thus, the definition highlighting the deep abscess accurately captures the essence of the condition.