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Tonsil

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Tonsil
sagittal view of tonsils and throat anatomy.
Identifiers
TA98A05.2.01.011
FMA9609
Anatomical terminology

Tonsils are collections of lymphoid tissue[1] facing into the aerodigestive tract. The set of lymphatic tissue known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring includes the adenoid tonsil, two tubal tonsils, two palatine tonsils, and the lingual tonsil.

When used unqualified, the term most commonly refers specifically to the palatine tonsils, which are masses of lymphatic material situated at either side at the back of the human throat. The palatine tonsils and the nasopharyngeal tonsil are lymphoepithelial tissues located near the oropharynx and nasopharynx (parts of the throat).

Structure

Tonsils in humans include, from anterior (front), superior (top), posterior (back), and inferior (bottom):

Type Epithelium capsule Crypts Location
Adenoids (also termed "pharyngeal tonsils") Ciliated pseudostratified columnar (respiratory epithelium) Incompletely encapsulated No Roof of pharynx
Tubal tonsils Ciliated pseudostratified columnar (respiratory epithelium) Roof of pharynx
Palatine tonsils Non-keratinized stratified squamous Incompletely encapsulated Long, branched[2] Sides of oropharynx between palatoglossal
and palatopharyngeal arches
Lingual tonsils Non-keratinized stratified squamous Incompletely encapsulated Long, unbranched[2] Behind terminal sulcus (tongue)

Development

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.

Function

These immunocompetent tissues are the immune system's first line of defense against ingested or inhaled foreign pathogens. However, the fundamental immunological roles of tonsils have yet to be understood.[3][4] One theory proposes that the tonsillar crypts and possibly the Tonsilloliths are culture areas where bacteria and possibly viri can grow (like in a Petri dish), possibly so the immune system is able to produce specific antibodies against them before they infect the organism, and/or possibly to produce useful metabolites (Schenker, unpublished).

Recent studies have provided evidence that the tonsils produce T lymphocytes, also known as T-cells, in a manner similar to, but different from, the way the thymus does.[5]

Clinical significance

A pair of tonsils after surgical removal.

Tonsils can become enlarged (adenotonsillar hyperplasia) or inflamed (tonsillitis) and may require surgical removal (tonsillectomy). This may be indicated if they obstruct the airway or interfere with swallowing, or in patients with frequent recurrent tonsillitis. However, different mechanisms of pathogenesis for these two subtypes of tonsillar hypertrophy have been described,[6] and may have different responses to identical therapeutic efforts. In older patients, asymmetric tonsils (also known as asymmetric tonsil hypertrophy) may be an indicator of virally infected tonsils, or tumors such as lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

Tonsillitis is a disorder in which the tonsils are inflamed (sore and swollen). The most common way to treat it is with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or if bacterial in origin, antibiotics, e.g. amoxicillin and azithromycin. Often severe and/or recurrent tonsillitis is treated by tonsillectomy.[7][8]

A tonsillolith is material that accumulates on the tonsil. They can range up to the size of a peppercorn and are white/cream in color. The main substance is mostly calcium, but they have a strong unpleasant odor because of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan and other chemicals.[citation needed]

Tonsil enlargement can affect speech, making it hypernasal and giving it the sound of velopharyngeal incompetence.[9] Tonsil size may have a more significant impact on upper airway obstruction for obese children than for those of average weight.[10]

Additional images

References

  1. ^ Stedman's Medical Dictionary entry on Tonsil
  2. ^ a b Lymphatic system at downstate.edu
  3. ^ Journal of the Wakayama Medical Society - [Study on functions of tonsils in mucosal immune system of the upper respiratory tract using a novel animal model, Suncus murinus.] - VOL.52;NO.4;PAGE.361-367(2001)
  4. ^ 'Tonsils and adenoids are immune system glands...' [Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide - Page: 1006 ] - 1995
  5. ^ "Tonsils Make T-Cells, Too, Ohio State Study Shows". Ohio State University. Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center. March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  6. ^ "Circulating phospholipase-A2 activity in obstructive sleep apnea". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 76 (4): 471–4. 2012. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.12.026. PMID 22297210. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ Udayan K Shah, MD, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Director, Fellow and Resident Education in Pediatric Otolaryngology, Attending Surgeon, Division of Otolaryngology, Nemours-AI duPont Hospital for Children
  8. ^ Tonsils and Adenoids
  9. ^ Mora R, Jankowska B, Mora F, Crippa B, Dellepiane M, Salami A. (2009). Effects of tonsillectomy on speech and voice. J Voice. 23(5) 614-8. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2008.01.008 PMID 18468843
  10. ^ Wang, JH (April 2010). "Palatine tonsil size in obese, overweight, and normal-weight children with sleep-disordered breathing". Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 142 (4): 516–9. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2010.01.013. PMID 20304270. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Media related to Tonsils at Wikimedia Commons