NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Palatine tonsils

The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. Image File history File links Tonsils_diagram. ... The soft palate, or velum, is the soft tissue comprising the back of the roof of the mouth. ... The uvula is a small cone-shaped mass of tissue hanging down from the soft palate, near the back of the throat. ... Tongue The tongue is the large bundle of muscles on the floor of the mouth that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing. ... Image showing tonsils during Tonsilitis infection. ... Image showing tonsils during Tonsilitis infection. ... A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure, during which the tonsils are removed. ... Lymph originates as blood plasma lost from the circulatory system, which leaks out into the surrounding tissues. ... Anatomy In anatomy, the throat is the part of the neck anterior to the vertebral column. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Tonsils during tonsillitis infection. ...

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. Lymph originates as blood plasma lost from the circulatory system, which leaks out into the surrounding tissues. ... The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ... Pharynx is the part of the neck and throat just behind the mouth and nose. ... Upper respiratory tract infection, also popularly known as either the acronym URTI or URI, is the disease characterised by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. ...

Tonsils in humans^[1] include, from superior to inferior: pharyngeal tonsils (also known as adenoids), tubal tonsils, palatine tonsils, and lingual tonsils. Together this set of lymphatic tissue is called the tonsillar ring or Waldeyer's 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. Adenoids, or pharyngeal tonsils, are folds of lymphatic tissue covered by ciliated epithelium. ... Puberty refers to the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. ... Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. ... A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure, during which the tonsils are removed. ...

Most commonly, the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine 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. Tonsils during tonsillitis infection. ... Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... A medical/clinical thermometer showing the temperature of 38. ... In medicine, a chronic disease is a disease which has developed slowly or gradually. ... A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure, during which the tonsils are removed. ...

Tonsilar crypts

The palatine tonsils include numerous pits and crevices, termed "tonsilar crypts," which often harbor large numbers of bacteria and which serve as a locus of infection. Tonsil crypts are indentations on the tonsil that resemble the pores of the skin.

Macrophages and other white blood cells concentrate by the tonsilar crypts as well, in response to the microorganisms attracted to the crypts. Accordingly, the tonsilar crypts serve a forward sentry role for the immune system, by providing early exposure of immune system cells to infectious organisms which may be introduced into the body via food or other ingested matter. Macrophages (Greek: big eaters) are cells found in tissues that are responsible for phagocytosis of pathogens, dead cells and cellular debris. ... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ... The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ...

However, the tonsilar crypts often provide such an inviting environment to bacteria that bacterial colonies may form solidified "plugs" or "stones" within the crypts. In particular, sufferers of chronic sinusitis or post-nasal drip frequently suffer from these overgrowths of bacteria in the tonsilar crypts. These small whitish plugs, termed "tonsilloliths" and sometimes known as "tonsil stones," have a foul smell and can contribute to bad breath; furthermore, they can obstruct the normal flow of pus from the crypts, and may irritate the throat (people with tonsil stones may complain of the feeling that something is stuck in their throat). Image File history File links Tonsils1. ... Image File history File links Tonsils1. ... Image File history File links Tonsil2. ... Image File history File links Tonsil2. ... Sinusitis is inflammation, either bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic or autoimmune, of the paranasal sinuses. ... Post-nasal drip (PND) occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. ... A tonsillolith (or tonsil stone) is a ball-like accumulation of food particles, bacteria, leukocytes, and dried mucus in the folds of tonsils. ... Halitosis, breath odour, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odours exhaled in breathing. ... Pus is a whitish-yellow or yellow substance produced during inflammatory responses of the body that can be found in regions of bacterial infection. ...

Category: Head and neck Lymph originates as blood plasma lost from the circulatory system, which leaks out into the surrounding tissues. ... Structure of the lymph node. ... In mammals including humans, the lymphatic vessels (or lymphatics) are a network of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into tissues throughout the body. ... Lymphocyte (stained) A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell involved in the human bodys immune system. ... In anatomy, lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph away from the tissues, through the lymph nodes and thoracic duct back to the general circulation. ... In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is an important part of the lymphatic system — it is the largest lymphatic vessel in the body. ... The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ... Grays Anatomy illustration of cells in bone marrow. ... The spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells in holding a reservoir of blood. ... In human anatomy, the thymus is a ductless gland located in the upper anterior portion of the chest cavity. ...