--- title: "Signs in Chronic Tonsillitis | Irwin Moore Sign & Wood's Sign" description: "ENT notes on named signs seen in Chronic Tonsillitis - Irwin Moore Sign & Wood's Sign." source: "The ENT Resident" author: "Dr. Mausumi Das" canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/chronic-tonsillitis-irwin-moore-wood-sign" categories: ["Signs, Syndromes, Triads, and Compilation Lists in ENT", "Pharynx"] video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUL4kUU41pM" image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/chronic-tonsillitis-irwin-moore-wood-sign.png" --- # Signs in Chronic Tonsillitis | Irwin Moore Sign & Wood's Sign ENT notes on named signs seen in Chronic Tonsillitis - Irwin Moore Sign & Wood's Sign. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUL4kUU41pM ## Signs in Chronic Tonsillitis Two classical named signs are associated with chronic tonsillitis. In this post, we will discuss: * Irwin Moore Sign * Wood's Sign --- ### Irwin Moore Sign #### 📌 Type of Sign 👉 Clinical Sign seen during **examination of the tonsillar fossa**. #### 🔍 What is the Sign? Irwin Moore Sign refers to **Expression of pus from the tonsillar crypts on applying pressure over the anterior pillar (palatoglossal arch)**. Seen in **Chronic Tonsillitis**. #### 🩺 How is it Elicited? The sign is elicited by the **Squeeze Test**. The examiner applies **gentle pressure over the anterior pillar**, which compresses the tonsil. A **positive sign** is: ✅ Pus or cheesy material exuding from the crypt openings > What is the reason behind Irwin Moore's sign in Chronic Tonsillitis? #### 👨‍⚕️ Eponym Named after Irwin Moore, who described pus expression from the tonsillar crypts on anterior pillar pressure in chronic tonsillitis. > What is the most common lymph node enlarged in chronic tonsillitis? > What is the named criteria followed when planning tonsillectomy? --- ### Cardinal Signs of Chronic Tonsillitis ⭐ **Very important viva question** 1- Flushing of anterior pillar 2- Irwin Moore Sign positive 3- Persistent non-tender jugulodigastric lymphadenopathy At least **two of the three** signs must be present to diagnose chronic tonsillitis. --- ### Wood's Sign #### 📌 Type of Sign 👉 Clinical Sign seen during **Palpation of neck lymph nodes**. #### 🔍 What is the Sign? Wood's Sign refers to **palpable enlargement of the jugulodigastric lymph node** in chronic tonsillitis. #### 🧠 What does it Indicate? The jugulodigastric lymph node is the **Most common node (sentinel node)** involved in tonsillitis. Its enlargement is a **Marker of tonsillar pathology**. #### 👨‍⚕️ Eponym Named after Wood, who described jugulodigastric lymphadenopathy as a marker of tonsillar pathology. --- ### ⭐ High Yield Rapid Revision Table | Sign | Type | Elicited By | Finding | Seen In | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Irwin Moore Sign | Clinical | Squeeze test (anterior pillar pressure) | Expression of pus from tonsillar crypts | Chronic Tonsillitis | | Wood's Sign | Clinical | Palpation of neck lymph nodes | Palpable enlargement of jugulodigastric lymph node | Chronic Tonsillitis | --- ### 🧠 Viva Pearls * Irwin Moore Sign is expression of pus from the tonsillar crypts on pressing the anterior pillar. * The anterior pillar is the palatoglossal arch. * Irwin Moore Sign is elicited by the squeeze test. * Cardinal signs of chronic tonsillitis are flushing of anterior pillar, Irwin Moore Sign and persistent non-tender jugulodigastric lymphadenopathy. * At least two cardinal signs must be present to diagnose chronic tonsillitis. * Wood's Sign is palpable enlargement of the jugulodigastric lymph node. --- ## About This Note This free ENT note on Signs in Chronic Tonsillitis | Irwin Moore Sign & Wood's Sign was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture. 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