Everything you need know about tonsil stones, odd growths that seem like pimples in your throat.

Disgusting medical videos are extremely popular on YouTube these days. Pimple popping, cyst draining, earwax removal, back cracking, foot callus scraping—you name it, and millions of people want to see it on film.

Tonsil stones, which are little, pebble-like growths that can be removed from the tonsils, are no exception. It’s similar to popping pimples, but it happens inside the throat. And witnessing it happen on video is quite pleasurable.

First, a simple explanation for the uninitiated: The Mayo Clinic explains that your tonsils are actually part of your immune system. They produce white blood cells and antibodies, aiding in the fight against infections. However, they also contain eerie-sounding cavities known as tonsillar crypts. Some people’s crypts are so deep that food or mucus can become trapped inside.

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