A surgical instrument designed to cut or remove the tonsils (amygdala).
From amygdala + -tome (cutting instrument). The suffix -tome comes from Greek tome (cutting). This medical instrument term emerged in the 19th century alongside the development of improved surgical techniques for tonsillectomy.
Medical instruments named with -tome include scalpels and lancets—they're all cutting tools! An amygdalotome is specifically designed to slice through tonsil tissue, and its name literally means 'almond-cutter,' which is exactly what it does.
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