A patient presents with pain on swallowing and bad taste in their mouth. The most likely diagnosis is:

Correct answer: C. Tonsillolith

• A. Pharyngeal abscess is a medical emergency with severe dysphagia, drooling, and systemic signs — the presentation described is milder and more consistent with tonsillolith.
• B. Sialolithiasis presents with pain and swelling of the salivary gland — especially when eating — not primarily bad taste with dysphagia.
• C. Correct. A tonsillolith (tonsillar stone) is a calcified deposit in the tonsillar crypts. Patients typically complain of bad breath, bad taste, and discomfort when swallowing. It is visible as a white/yellow mass in the tonsillar fossa.
• D. Pericoronitis involves pain and swelling around a partially erupted tooth, with purulent discharge, but the 'bad taste + pain on swallowing' combination is less specific.