Brodsky Tonsil Grading Scale
Brodsky grading scale (Brodsky 1989) for palatine tonsil size (grades 0-4), by the percentage of the oropharyngeal width the tonsils occupy.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Brodsky grade
- Grade 3 - 50-75%
Result: Brodsky grade 3: tonsils occupy 50-75% of the oropharyngeal width (obstructive).
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Grade 0
- Tonsils within the tonsillar fossa; no airway obstruction.
- Grades 1-2
- Occupy < 25% (grade 1) or 25-50% (grade 2) of the oropharyngeal width; non-obstructive.
- Grade 3
- Occupy 50-75% of the oropharyngeal width; obstructive.
- Grade 4
- Occupy > 75% ("kissing tonsils"); obstructive.
What you enter
- Brodsky grade
How this is calculated
Brodsky L. Modern assessment of tonsils and adenoids. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1989;36(6):1551-1569. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.