Information about Tonsils
- For the structure in the cerebellum, see cerebellar tonsil.
As with other organs of the lymphatic system, the tonsils act as part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In particular, they are believed to be involved in helping fight off pharyngeal and upper respiratory tract infections.
Tonsils in humans include, from superior to inferior:
| Name | Epithelium | Capsule? | Crypts? | Location |
| adenoids (also termed "pharyngeal tonsils") | ciliated pseudostratified (respiratory epithelium) | Incompletely encapsulated | No | roof of pharynx |
| palatine tonsils | non-keratinized stratified squamous | Incompletely encapsulated | Yes | sides of pharynx between glossopalatine and pharyngopalatine arches |
| lingual tonsils | non-keratinized stratified squamous | Incompletely encapsulated | Yes | behind terminal sulcus (tongue) |
Together this set of lymphatic tissue is known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.
Tonsils tend to reach their largest size near puberty, and they gradually undergo atrophy thereafter. However, they are largest relative to the diameter of the throat in young children, and tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) may be indicated if they are obstructing the airway or interfering with swallowing. Also, when tonsils become overly enlarged or inflamed they may need to be surgically removed.
See also
External links
- Tonsil at eMedicine Dictionary
- Image of all tonsils at www.med.umich.edu
Lymphatics of head and neck | |
|---|---|
| Head | Occipital - Mastoid - Parotid (Preauricular) - Buccinator - Submandibular - Submental - Retropharyngeal |
| Neck | Cervical (Superficial, Superior deep, Inferior deep) - Supraclavicular (Virchow's) - Paratracheal - Jugular trunk |
| Tonsils/Waldeyer's tonsillar ring | Palatine - Lingual - Adenoid - Tubal |
The cerebellum (Latin: "little brain") is a region of the brain that plays an important role in the integration of sensory perception and motor output. Many neural pathways link the cerebellum with the motor cortex—which sends information to the muscles causing them
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The cerebellar tonsil (amygdaline nucleus) is a rounded mass, situated in the hemispheres of the cerebellum.
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Pathology
Arnold-Chiari malformation is a congenital anomaly of the brain in which the cerebellar tonsils are elongated and pushed down through the opening..... Click the link for more information.
The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system.
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In anatomy, the throat is the part of the neck anterior to the vertebral column. It consists of the pharynx and larynx. An important feature of the throat is the epiglottis, a flap which separates the oesophagus from the trachea and prevents inhalation of food or drink.
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An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. In an infection, the infecting organism seeks to utilize the host's resources to multiply (usually at the expense of the host).
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MeSH D014069
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. Symptoms may also include pain in the tonsil area and inability to swallow and/or painful swallowing.
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Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. Symptoms may also include pain in the tonsil area and inability to swallow and/or painful swallowing.
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Palatine tonsils are the tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. In chronic cases tonsillectomy may be indicated.
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Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. In chronic cases tonsillectomy may be indicated.
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The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system.
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immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own healthy
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The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and cranial, or superior, to the esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
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Upper respiratory tract infection
Classification & external resources
Conducting passages.
ICD-10 J 00-06. , J 30-39.
ICD-9 465.9
Upper respiratory infections, commonly referred to the acronym URI
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Classification & external resources
Conducting passages.
ICD-10 J 00-06. , J 30-39.
ICD-9 465.9
Upper respiratory infections, commonly referred to the acronym URI
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epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. Epithelium lines both the outside (skin) and the inside cavities and lumen of bodies. The outermost layer of our skin is composed of dead stratified squamous, keratinized epithelial cells.
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A capsule, in anatomy, is a cover or envelope partly or wholly surrounding a structure. Types of capsules include:
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- the shell of an egg (biology)
- joint capsules - every diarthrodial joint possesses a fibrous or ligamentous capsule, lined with synovial membrane, attached
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Crypts are anatomical structures that are narrow but deep invaginations into a larger structure.
One common type of anatomical crypt is the Crypts of Lieberkühn. However, it is not the only type: some types of tonsils also have crypts.
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One common type of anatomical crypt is the Crypts of Lieberkühn. However, it is not the only type: some types of tonsils also have crypts.
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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.
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pseudostratified epithelium is a type of epithelium that, though comprising only a single layer of cells, has its cell nuclei positioned in a manner suggestive of stratified epithelia.
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Respiratory epithelium is a type of epithelium found lining the upper and lower respiratory tracts, where it serves to moisten and protect the airways. It also functions as a barrier to potential pathogens and foreign objects, preventing infection by action of the
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The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and cranial, or superior, to the esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
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Palatine tonsils are the tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. In chronic cases tonsillectomy may be indicated.
..... Click the link for more information.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. In chronic cases tonsillectomy may be indicated.
..... Click the link for more information.
squamous epithelium (from Latin squama, "scale") is an epithelium characterised by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells.
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The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and cranial, or superior, to the esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
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The lingual tonsils are rounded masses of lymphatic tissue that cover the posterior region of the tongue.
They are on the dorsal surface at the base of the tongue.
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They are on the dorsal surface at the base of the tongue.
Additional images
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squamous epithelium (from Latin squama, "scale") is an epithelium characterised by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells.
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terminal sulcus, runs lateralward and forward on either side to the margin of the tongue.
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External links
- Overview and diagram at mednote.co.kr
- sulcus+terminalis at eMedicine Dictionary
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Waldeyer's tonsillar ring is an anatomical term describing the lymphoid tissue ring located in the nasopharynx.
It was named after the nineteenth century German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz.
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It was named after the nineteenth century German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz.
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Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a child's body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Puberty is initiated by hormone signals from the brain to the gonads (the ovaries and testes).
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For the American thrash metal band, see Atrophy (band)
Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ,..... Click the link for more information.
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. Sometimes the adenoids are removed at the same time.
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Reasons for tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy may be indicated when the patient:- Experiences frequent bouts of acute tonsillitis.
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The tubal tonsil is one of the four main tonsil groups which include the Palatine tonsil, the Lingual tonsil, the Pharyngeal tonsil, and the Tubal tonsil.
It is located posterior to the opening of the pharyngotympanic tube into the nasopharynx.
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It is located posterior to the opening of the pharyngotympanic tube into the nasopharynx.
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tonsillolith (also called tonsil stone or calculus of the tonsil) is a piece (or more commonly, a cluster) of calcareous matter which forms in the rear of the mouth, in the crevasses (called crypts) of the palatine tonsils (which are what most people commonly
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