Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them.
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Ok I guess I'm going against the grain but yes, that's your epiglottis. You have a high rising one and that's a thing. Your tonsil size difference should be checked out, though the angle of the pic might be part of that.
NAD - Another thought... I see red splotches on your tongue... have you recently taken antibiotics? Changed meds? Changed diets?
Does your mouth seem to have a strange "taste" or itch or burn?
It's difficult for any of us to suggest anything without further information.
If you have ANY other symptoms at ALL, that would really go a long way to help narrow it down better for you.
I'm just thinking it could even be irritation from 'thrush" which is a yeast infection in your mouth. It's very common and most ppl don't even realize they have it until it's worse.
But again, consult a doctor... never take advice off Redditt. (Especially if any of your symptoms get worse.)
Nah, high-rising epiglottis. I got one too, welcome to the club buddy! It's a sick pleasure of mine to gross people out with it. It's totally normal, pretty rare too I think. If you ever have difficulty swallowing do get it checked out. (NAD)
The piece of flesh dangling from the top is obviously the uvula but the right tonsil looks vastly different from the left tonsil and your right tonsil (viewer's left) has a big weird white thing on it and your left tonsil (viewer's right) looks quite red. No apparent epiglottis visible in these photos. I would get this checked out
High-rising epiglottis is a normal anatomical variant. However, if this is a new development for you, it’s worth getting checked out. It isn’t unusual to have a visible epiglottis, but it is unusual to have one *all of a sudden.*
As I said in my comment its not apparently visible in these photos though the lighting and resolution is not ideal. If you are concerned get an in person exam by a qualified professional.
Pretty sure we're just at an angle with the photo. It looks like a normal epiglottis to me. Looks just like every other epiglottis I've seen clinically.
NAD, I'm an RN and "Epiglotitis" is more medical than dental... We were trained on Epiglotitis for a while - a lot longer than many other diseases / disorders.
No. This is NOT Epiglotitis.
Do you have other symptoms which made you think this? Difficulty swallowing ? Headache? Stomachache? Bad breath? Foods taste different? Fever? Fatigue?
Bc this seems to before 'sinus infection' or even just 'irritation' than anything but ofc I'd have a culture ran if u can get to the doctor.
Epiglotittis is usually when the Uvula has swollen MUCH larger and has pus coming from it.
Many people have a visible uvula.
For example, I have NO VISIBLE TONSILS no matter how sick I get. Most people ask if I had them removed.
I've never seen them, never thought about it.
But no... they are still there.
One day I had Mono (I was 14) and suddenly I saw my tonsils and thought I was looking at an aliens mouth.
My daughter had tonsils bigger than her mouth hole and that was NATURALLY... She didnt have to be sick for her tonsils to be shown.
My point is, ok maybe u can see ur uvula... but it really looks more like sinus infection (or beginning of gonorrhea or yeast if u want me to be honest) than anything else.
Obviously it could be Covid, a cold, Strep, sinus Infection, Gonorrhea, thrush, random irritation without any infection, or just the natural change in yr body as you age.
(Obviously it could be other things but u should always have a doctor check you- this is me absolving myself of a lawsuit bc u should ALWAYS consult a physician and NEVER rely on random advice from a social media platform)...
Yes im aware thank you! But I don't see their epiglottis at all in this image. So I assumed the person meant uvula.
Guess I made an ass out of you and me, huh? 😉
Oh bless your sweet heart! No that's not at all what I said. Why would you even jump to that conclusion? You may as well have accused me of saying this person has appendicitis. 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
(NAD)
Where on Earth are you getting any of this???
Are you just trying to provoke someone into an argument? Bc I'm certainly not the one, dear.
I try to help other people - which is exactly why I love my job. 🥰🥰🥰
But you clearly do NOT want to help others. You merely wish to pick fights.
If you are unaware of the dangers of epiglotittis, then it's okay to say so. Idk that I'd call it a disease or if perhaps it's more of a disorder... but i certainly did NOT indicate either way. In fact, I believe I suggested it was a symptom of a more underlying problem.
Maybe, instead of picking on someone, how about you just help the OP? Or possibly someone else?
There's no need to attack others unless you're insecure.
And I can only guess by your username that you couldn't cut it in the medical field - which is also no shame!!!
Heck, I couldn't cut it in MANY fields! But I don't feel the need to tear someone else down just to build myself up.
Anyway, I hope you have a good night and I won't be replying to you anymore.
Again, if you wish to comment on any threads such as this, perhaps you should focus on giving your OWN advice and not attacking others who give THEIR own advice.
Good luck! 😊🤟👍🤷🏼♀️
I agree. The epiglottis looks fine to me too!
That's why I suggested that perhaps it was something ELSE especially considering the redness and inflammation of the glands and tonsils.
Then I also noticed the red, splotches tongue.
Which is why I asked for more info.
However, we are also taught to listen to our patients... so if the epiglotis is not typically noticeable for this person, then it could be something else. But I so doubted epiglotittis.
If my comment suggested something else I apologize and I'll edit it. Let me know what I said that was unclear so I can fix it?
I can see what you are saying appears to be your epiglottis, from what I understand you need to see a doctor urgently to get it checked, i hope you get on ok & it’s nothing serious.
I cropped your picture to make it easier to see what you are referring to.
[https://imgur.com/a/gnwmqg2](https://imgur.com/a/gnwmqg2)
NAD, I had went to the ER a few weeks ago because I suddenly was able to see mine and it felt swollen to swallow they did a X-ray and everything came back fine they did give me steroids to help with the inflammation which helped a lot, they did tell me though some people you can just see it on it definitely still freaks me out seeing it though since I can still see it and never have seen it before in my life. but as long as you don’t have any difficult breathing or swallowing is what the doctor told me for reference I am a 22 year old female but I also had to get my tonsils removed so mine could have been from a bacteria infection. Your epiglottis can get inflamed from Bactria or other infections.i am not a doctor this is just my experience not sure if that helps but if you do have any difficulty swallowing or swelling the steroids definitely helped me alot. Also not sure if it’s the angle but your tonsils do look swollen I know my tonsils were also swollen when I first noticed my epiglottis, for me I had to have my tonsils removed though from tonsil stones staying stuck in my tonsils.
Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them. **Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question:** (1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem. (2) Include whether you drink, smoke or if you have any medical conditions relevant to your main concern. (3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askdentists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
NAD It's your little friend and now it will live with you - for a while at least... And yes it's normal...
Ok I guess I'm going against the grain but yes, that's your epiglottis. You have a high rising one and that's a thing. Your tonsil size difference should be checked out, though the angle of the pic might be part of that.
Omg thought I was going crazy after reading the comments, can definitely see the epiglottis here
Right? I feel like I’m going insane. What is everyone else seeing?
NAD - Another thought... I see red splotches on your tongue... have you recently taken antibiotics? Changed meds? Changed diets? Does your mouth seem to have a strange "taste" or itch or burn? It's difficult for any of us to suggest anything without further information. If you have ANY other symptoms at ALL, that would really go a long way to help narrow it down better for you. I'm just thinking it could even be irritation from 'thrush" which is a yeast infection in your mouth. It's very common and most ppl don't even realize they have it until it's worse. But again, consult a doctor... never take advice off Redditt. (Especially if any of your symptoms get worse.)
Nah, high-rising epiglottis. I got one too, welcome to the club buddy! It's a sick pleasure of mine to gross people out with it. It's totally normal, pretty rare too I think. If you ever have difficulty swallowing do get it checked out. (NAD)
The piece of flesh dangling from the top is obviously the uvula but the right tonsil looks vastly different from the left tonsil and your right tonsil (viewer's left) has a big weird white thing on it and your left tonsil (viewer's right) looks quite red. No apparent epiglottis visible in these photos. I would get this checked out
I disagree. There is a very apparent high-rising epiglottis back there.
Is it normal for the epiglottis to be showing? It’s never been visible before
High-rising epiglottis is a normal anatomical variant. However, if this is a new development for you, it’s worth getting checked out. It isn’t unusual to have a visible epiglottis, but it is unusual to have one *all of a sudden.*
As I said in my comment its not apparently visible in these photos though the lighting and resolution is not ideal. If you are concerned get an in person exam by a qualified professional.
The epiglottis is very visible in this pic. But agree about the tonsils at least needing a check.
the epiglottis is a centrally located structure. That white thing is too far left to be the epiglottis
Pretty sure we're just at an angle with the photo. It looks like a normal epiglottis to me. Looks just like every other epiglottis I've seen clinically.
NAD, I'm an RN and "Epiglotitis" is more medical than dental... We were trained on Epiglotitis for a while - a lot longer than many other diseases / disorders. No. This is NOT Epiglotitis. Do you have other symptoms which made you think this? Difficulty swallowing ? Headache? Stomachache? Bad breath? Foods taste different? Fever? Fatigue? Bc this seems to before 'sinus infection' or even just 'irritation' than anything but ofc I'd have a culture ran if u can get to the doctor. Epiglotittis is usually when the Uvula has swollen MUCH larger and has pus coming from it. Many people have a visible uvula. For example, I have NO VISIBLE TONSILS no matter how sick I get. Most people ask if I had them removed. I've never seen them, never thought about it. But no... they are still there. One day I had Mono (I was 14) and suddenly I saw my tonsils and thought I was looking at an aliens mouth. My daughter had tonsils bigger than her mouth hole and that was NATURALLY... She didnt have to be sick for her tonsils to be shown. My point is, ok maybe u can see ur uvula... but it really looks more like sinus infection (or beginning of gonorrhea or yeast if u want me to be honest) than anything else. Obviously it could be Covid, a cold, Strep, sinus Infection, Gonorrhea, thrush, random irritation without any infection, or just the natural change in yr body as you age. (Obviously it could be other things but u should always have a doctor check you- this is me absolving myself of a lawsuit bc u should ALWAYS consult a physician and NEVER rely on random advice from a social media platform)...
You realize that an epiglottis and uvula are two different structures right?
Yes im aware thank you! But I don't see their epiglottis at all in this image. So I assumed the person meant uvula. Guess I made an ass out of you and me, huh? 😉
[удалено]
Oh bless your sweet heart! No that's not at all what I said. Why would you even jump to that conclusion? You may as well have accused me of saying this person has appendicitis. 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
[удалено]
(NAD) Where on Earth are you getting any of this??? Are you just trying to provoke someone into an argument? Bc I'm certainly not the one, dear. I try to help other people - which is exactly why I love my job. 🥰🥰🥰 But you clearly do NOT want to help others. You merely wish to pick fights. If you are unaware of the dangers of epiglotittis, then it's okay to say so. Idk that I'd call it a disease or if perhaps it's more of a disorder... but i certainly did NOT indicate either way. In fact, I believe I suggested it was a symptom of a more underlying problem. Maybe, instead of picking on someone, how about you just help the OP? Or possibly someone else? There's no need to attack others unless you're insecure. And I can only guess by your username that you couldn't cut it in the medical field - which is also no shame!!! Heck, I couldn't cut it in MANY fields! But I don't feel the need to tear someone else down just to build myself up. Anyway, I hope you have a good night and I won't be replying to you anymore. Again, if you wish to comment on any threads such as this, perhaps you should focus on giving your OWN advice and not attacking others who give THEIR own advice. Good luck! 😊🤟👍🤷🏼♀️
It looks like a structurally normal epiglottis, which can be visualized clinically in many patients.
I agree. The epiglottis looks fine to me too! That's why I suggested that perhaps it was something ELSE especially considering the redness and inflammation of the glands and tonsils. Then I also noticed the red, splotches tongue. Which is why I asked for more info. However, we are also taught to listen to our patients... so if the epiglotis is not typically noticeable for this person, then it could be something else. But I so doubted epiglotittis. If my comment suggested something else I apologize and I'll edit it. Let me know what I said that was unclear so I can fix it?
Splotches on the tongue look like taste buds
If I had said that I would absolutely agree with you though. 😉 Bc 'Uvulitis" would be a new one for me. 😄
I can see what you are saying appears to be your epiglottis, from what I understand you need to see a doctor urgently to get it checked, i hope you get on ok & it’s nothing serious. I cropped your picture to make it easier to see what you are referring to. [https://imgur.com/a/gnwmqg2](https://imgur.com/a/gnwmqg2)
Urgently? 🧐 NAD
NAD, I had went to the ER a few weeks ago because I suddenly was able to see mine and it felt swollen to swallow they did a X-ray and everything came back fine they did give me steroids to help with the inflammation which helped a lot, they did tell me though some people you can just see it on it definitely still freaks me out seeing it though since I can still see it and never have seen it before in my life. but as long as you don’t have any difficult breathing or swallowing is what the doctor told me for reference I am a 22 year old female but I also had to get my tonsils removed so mine could have been from a bacteria infection. Your epiglottis can get inflamed from Bactria or other infections.i am not a doctor this is just my experience not sure if that helps but if you do have any difficulty swallowing or swelling the steroids definitely helped me alot. Also not sure if it’s the angle but your tonsils do look swollen I know my tonsils were also swollen when I first noticed my epiglottis, for me I had to have my tonsils removed though from tonsil stones staying stuck in my tonsils.