Tonsils

Tonsils are large lymphoid nodules in the walls of the pharynx, forming a ring around the pharynx and guarding the entrance to the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Five tonsils are usually present:

One pharyngeal tonsil, commonly called adenoids, lies on the posterior wall of the pharynx behind the nose. Removal is called an adenoidectomy.
Two palatine tonsils are located on the lateral walls of the pharynx. These are the ones readily seen and most commonly referred to as tonsils.
Two lingual tonsils are located on the base of the tongue.

Removal of tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. Because we have gained an increased understanding as to the function of tonsils, tonsillectomies are not as common as they once were.

All lymphoid masses tend to be larger in childhood and thus the reasoning behind a physician saying that a child may outgrow enlarged tonsils. Sometimes, this is not possible, especially when their size constricts breathing or when they become so engorged with bacteria that removal is not only necessary, but vital.

When a lymphatic organ is removed, the others in the system tend to pick up the slack in filtering process; but the removal of any one significantly increases the risk of infections.

This page was updated in December 2005.