For the structure in the cerebellum, see cerebellar tonsil.

normal tonsils

The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. Most commonly, the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat. 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. ... The cerebellar tonsil (amygdaline nucleus) is a rounded mass, situated in the hemispheres of the cerebellum. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up Throat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Inflamed tonsils Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. ... The Palatine tonsils with the soft palate, uvula, and tongue visible. ...

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. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... 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. ... Upper respiratory infections, commonly referred to the acronym URI, is the illness caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, or bronchi. ...

Tonsils in humans include, from superior to inferior:

Together this set of lymphatic tissue is known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring. Types of epithelium This article discusses the epithelium as it relates to animal anatomy. ... A capsule, in anatomy, is a cover or envelope partly or wholly surrounding a structure. ... Crypts are anatomical structures that are narrow but deep invaginations into a larger structure. ... Adenoids, or pharyngeal tonsils, are folds of lymphatic tissue covered by ciliated epithelium. ... Transverse section of trachea. ... Respiratory epithelium is another name for ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells. ... 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. ... The Palatine tonsils with the soft palate, uvula, and tongue visible. ... H&E stain of biopsy of normal esophagus showing the stratified squamous cell epithelium Section of the human esophagus. ... 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. ... The lingual tonsils are rounded masses of lymphatic tissue that cover the posterior region of the tongue. ... H&E stain of biopsy of normal esophagus showing the stratified squamous cell epithelium Section of the human esophagus. ... The dorsum of the tongue is convex and marked by a median sulcus, which divides it into symmetrical halves; this sulcus ends behind, about 2. ... Waldeyers tonsillar ring is an antomical term describing the the lymphoid tissue ring located in the nasopharynx. ...

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. 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. ... Throat after tonsillectomy A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. ...

See also

• Tubal tonsil
• Tonsilloliths

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. ... A tonsillolith (or tonsil stone) is a ball-like accumulation of food particles, bacteria, leukocytes, and dried mucus in the folds of tonsils. ...

External links

• Tonsil at eMedicine Dictionary
• Image of all tonsils at www.med.umich.edu