Tonsils in humans include (from superiorly to inferiorly); 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. While tonsils tend to reach their largest size near puberty, they gradually atrophy thereafter.
Most commonly, the term tonsils refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis causes sore throat and fever. In chronic cases, or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.
When bacteria that collect on the tonsils consume mucus that has pooled in pits in the tonsils a whitish-yellow deposit is produced. These deposits are known as tonsilloliths or "tonsil stones" and emit a very pungent odour due to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds.
Chronic or recurring tonsillitis is a common reason for children and adults to have their tonsils removed, a procedure known as a tonsillectomy.
When tonsillitis is present, tonsilinfection and swollen tonsils are the most common symptoms, along with the surrounding throat area often being infected at the same time (pharyngitis).
Tonsil and throatinfections may be caused by either a virus or bacteria, and can be spread from one person to the other through coughing, sneezing and nasal fluids.
The sensory supply to the lingual tonsils and the base of the tongue is provided by the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, although some small contribution may come from the superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve.
The pharyngealtonsil is formed by numerous variable folds of lymphoid tissue within the mucous membrane of the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
The tonsil is inserted through the fenestra of the instrument and the guillotine blade is closed to amputate the tonsil and its capsule.
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