What is another name for a peritonsillar abscess?

A peritonsillar abscess is also commonly referred to as "quinsy." This term specifically describes an infection that leads to the accumulation of pus in the space around the tonsils, often resulting from the complications of acute tonsillitis. The clinical manifestations of a peritonsillar abscess may include severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and signs of trismus, making quinsy a distinct and recognizable condition in emergency medicine.

The other terms, while related to throat infections, refer to different conditions: tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the tonsils itself, cellulitis describes a general bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, and pharyngitis is the inflammation of the pharynx. Quinsy specifically highlights the abscess formation around the tonsils, making it the correct answer in this context.