Pharyngeal tonsil
494253
225667933
2008-07-14T20:33:28Z
Caps tiki
3861822
/* Histology */
{{Refimprove|date=November 2007}}
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = tonsilla pharyngea |
GraySubject = |
GrayPage = |
Image = Gray994-adenoid.png |
Caption = Location of the adenoid |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
Precursor = |
System = |
Artery = |
Vein = |
Nerve = |
Lymph = |
MeshName = Adenoids |
MeshNumber = A10.549.100 |
DorlandsPre = t_13 |
DorlandsSuf = 12812454 |
}}
'''Adenoids''' (or '''pharyngeal tonsils''', or '''nasopharyngeal tonsils''') are a mass of [[lymphoid tissue]] situated at the very back of the nose, in the roof of the [[nasopharynx]], where the [[nose]] blends into the [[mouth]].
Normally, in [[children]], they make a soft mound in the roof and posterior wall of the [[nasopharynx]], just above and behind the [[Palatine uvula|uvula]].
==Function==
Adenoids are part of the [[immune system]]. Like all lymph tissue, they trap infectious agents like [[viruses]] and [[bacteria]], and they produce [[antibody|antibodies]].
Since the adenoids are located at the back of the nasal airway, they provide defense against inhaled substances.
This function decreases with age as the adenoids shrink. Because adenoids ''do'' ordinarily shrink by late childhood, the problems caused by enlarged adenoids rarely occur in adults.
==Pathology==
Enlarged adenoids, or [[adenoid hypertrophy]], can become nearly the size of a [[ping pong ball]] and completely block airflow through the nasal passages.
Even if enlarged adenoids are not substantial enough to physically block the back of the nose, they can obstruct airflow enough so that breathing through the nose requires an uncomfortable amount of work, and inhalation occurs instead through an open mouth.
Adenoids can also obstruct the nasal airway enough to affect the voice without actually stopping nasal airflow altogether.
==Adenoid Facies==
Enlargement of adenoids, especially in children, causes a typical appearance of the face, often referred to as adenoid facies.
Adenoid facies have a rather colorful history. In "Cymen and Iphigenia", [[John Dryden]] draws, perhaps unconsciously, a most vivid and accurate pen picture of the adenoid face:
"The fool of nature stood with stupid eyes
And gaping mouth which testified surprise."<ref name="wylie">{{cite journal | author = Wylie, A, | title = Rhinology and laryngology in literature and Folk-Lore | journal = The Journal of Laryngology & Otology | volume = 42 | issue = 2 | pages = 81-87 | year = 1927}}</ref>
George Catlin in his humorous and instructive book, The Breath of Life, published in 1862, illustrates adenoid faces in many engravings and advocates nose-breathing.<ref name="wylie">{{cite journal | author = Wylie, A, | title = Rhinology and laryngology in literature and Folk-Lore | journal = The Journal of Laryngology & Otology | volume = 42 | issue = 2 | pages = 81-87 | year = 1927}}</ref>
==Removal of the adenoids ==
Surgical removal of the adenoids is a procedure called [[adenoidectomy]].
Adenoids may be removed if they become infected, causing symptoms such as excessive [[mucus]] production.
Carried out through the mouth under a [[general anaesthetic]] (or less commonly a [[topical anesthetic | topical]]), adenoidectomy involves the adenoids being [[curette|curetted]], [[cauterization|cauterised]], lasered, or otherwise ablated.
==Histology==
Adenoids, unlike other types of [[Tonsil|tonsils]], have [[pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium]].<ref>{{KansasHistology|lymphoid|lymph06}}</ref>
They also differ from the other tonsil types by lacking [[Crypt (anatomy)|crypts]].
The adenoids are often removed along with the tonsils. This can cause a very sore throat for about a week and rather unpleasant breath. Most people's adenoids are not even in use after a person's third year, but if they cause problems they must be taken out or they may otherwise shrink.
==See also==
*[[Adenoidectomy]]
*[[Lymphatic system]]
*[[Pharynx]]
*[[Tonsil]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{RocheLexicon|25420.000-1}}
* [http://bicmra.usuhs.mil/MRA/HSeries/H14/HTMLdocs/H14low.html Histology at usuhs.mil]
* [http://www.udel.edu/Biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cly/cly.htm Histology at udel.edu]
* [http://www.drtbalu.com/adenoid.html /drtbalu otolaryngology online]
{{Lymphatics of head and neck}}
[[Category:Lymphatic system]]
[[Category:Head and neck]]
[[de:Adenoide]]
[[dv:އަރުގެ ޓޮންސިލް]]
[[es:Adenoides]]
[[gl:Adenoide]]
[[ia:Adenoide]]
[[it:Tonsille#Tonsille_faringee]]
[[he:אדנואיד]]
[[lt:Adenoidai]]
[[nl:Neusamandel]]
[[pl:Migdałek gardłowy]]
[[pt:Adenóide]]
[[ru:Аденоиды]]
[[fi:Kitarisa]]
[[sv:Adenoid]]
[[uk:Аденоїди]]