ear, nose, and throat disorders
How To Drain a Peritonsillar Abscess
Relevant Anatomy for Draining a Peritonsillar Abscess
The tonsils are located between the anterior and posterior pillars of the throat. The lateral wall of the tonsil is adjacent to the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle. A peritonsillar abscess is located between the tonsil capsule, the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, and the palatopharyngeus muscle. The abscess is not within the tonsil. The internal carotid artery lies about 2.5 cm posterolateral to the tonsil. 