All Topics  
Adenoid

 

   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link






 

Adenoid



 
 
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
Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the Mouth and larynx parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent ....
, where the nose
Nose

Anatomically, a nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for Respiration in conjunction with the mouth....
 blends into the mouth
Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
.

Normally, in children, they make a soft mound in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx
Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the Mouth and larynx parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent ....
, just above and behind the uvula.
rged adenoids, or adenoid hypertrophy
Adenoid hypertrophy

Adenoid hypertrophy is the unusual growth of the adenoid tonsil.There is very little lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx of young babies; humans are born without substantial adenoids....
, 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.

rgement of adenoids, especially in children, causes an atypical appearance of the face, often referred to as adenoid facies.

Adenoid facies have a rather colorful history.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Adenoid'
Start a new discussion about 'Adenoid'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Recent Posts









Encyclopedia


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
Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the Mouth and larynx parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent ....
, where the nose
Nose

Anatomically, a nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for Respiration in conjunction with the mouth....
 blends into the mouth
Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
.

Normally, in children, they make a soft mound in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx
Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the Mouth and larynx parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent ....
, just above and behind the uvula.

Pathology

Enlarged adenoids, or adenoid hypertrophy
Adenoid hypertrophy

Adenoid hypertrophy is the unusual growth of the adenoid tonsil.There is very little lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx of young babies; humans are born without substantial adenoids....
, 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 an atypical appearance of the face, often referred to as adenoid facies.

Adenoid facies have a rather colorful history. In "Cymon and Iphigenia", John Dryden
John Dryden

John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of English Restoration to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of 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."


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.

Removal of the adenoids


Surgical removal of the adenoids is a procedure called adenoidectomy
Adenoidectomy

Adenoidectomy is the surgery removal of the adenoid. They may be removed for several reasons, including impaired breathing through the nose and chronic infections or earaches....
.

Adenoids may be removed if they become infected, causing symptoms such as excessive mucus
Mucus

In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. It is a viscous colloid containing antiseptic enzymes and immunoglobulins that serves to protect Epithelium in the respiratory,...
 production.

Carried out through the mouth under a general anaesthetic
General anaesthetic

A general anaesthetic drug is an anaesthetic drug that brings about a reversible loss of consciousness. These drugs are generally administered by an anesthesia provider in order to induce or maintain general anaesthesia to facilitate surgery....
 (or less commonly a topical
Topical anesthetic

A topical anesthetic is a local anesthetic that is used to numb the surface of a body part. They can be used to numb the front of the eye, the inside of the nose, the throat, the skin, the ear, the anus, and the genital....
), adenoidectomy involves the adenoids being curette
Curette

A curette is a spoon-shaped surgery instrument for cleaning a diseased surface. As a verb, "to curette" means to use a curette Another version of a curette is used by hygienists and periodontist in dental work....
d, cauterised
Cauterization

The medical practice or technique of Cauterization is a medical term describing the burn of the body to remove or close off a part of itin a process called Cautery which destroys some tissue
, lasered, or otherwise ablated
Ablation

Ablation is defined as the removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosion processes. The term occurs in space physics associated with atmospheric reentry, in glaciology, medicine and passive fire protection....
.

Histology

Adenoids, unlike other types of tonsil
Tonsil

Palatine tonsils, occasionally called the faucial tonsils, are the tonsils that can be seen on the left and right sides at the back of the throat....
s, have pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium.

They also differ from the other tonsil types by lacking crypts
Crypt (anatomy)

Crypts are anatomical structures that are narrow but deep invagination into a larger structure.One common type of anatomical crypt is the Crypts of Lieberk?hn....
. 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
    Adenoidectomy

    Adenoidectomy is the surgery removal of the adenoid. They may be removed for several reasons, including impaired breathing through the nose and chronic infections or earaches....
  • Lymphatic system
    Lymphatic system

    The lymphatic system in vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called lymph. It also includes the lymphoid tissue through which the lymph travels....
  • Pharynx
    Pharynx

    FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
  • Tonsil
    Tonsil

    Palatine tonsils, occasionally called the faucial tonsils, are the tonsils that can be seen on the left and right sides at the back of the throat....


External links