Tonsils and Adenoids

May 01, 2018

Tonsils and Adenoids

Definition of Tonsils and Adenoids

Definition of Tonsils and Adenoids - Why Tonsils and Adenoid Enlarged? - Symptoms of Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoid - Negative Effects of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy on Child Personality and Behavior - Tonsillar Asymmetry

Tonsils and adenoids are the elements of Waldeyer's lymphatic ring which settled in oral and nasopharyngeal region. Both are play role in immunity against airborne microorganisms which inhaled through the mouth and nose.

The tonsils are located on both sides of the back of the throat. The other names of adenoid are pharyngeal tonsil and nasopharyngeal tonsil. This lymphatic tissue is situated posterior of the nasal cavity, the roof of the nasopharyngeal area.

The eustachian tubes is opened to the nasal cavity in this region.

Why Tonsils and Adenoid Enlarged?

Tonsils and adenoid can grow depending on the recurrent infections and genetic causes. Living in crowded environments (such as kindergarten), exposure to cigarette smoke, atopy can be facilitated to lymphatic tissue growth. Although extremely rare, cancer sometimes causes enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Kissing Tonsils

In the above photo, in a patient with enlarged tonsils, it is seen that the tonsils are in contact with each other (kissing tonsils) and there is little airway gap between the tonsils.

Symptoms of Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoid

The tonsils and adenoid are settled on the airways. Most enlarged tonsils and adenoids cause no symptoms. However, when they grow up in addition to breathing problems, ear and sinus related problems also can be seen.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids may cause the following problems:

- Chronic ear infections and hearing loss: These problems result from blockage of the eustachian tube and fluid accumulation in the middle ear.
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Discomfort when talking and breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Severe respiratory distress (in young infants)
- Bad breath
- Sleeping with your mouth open
- Sweating during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness / Decrease in sleep quality
- Decrease in school performance (for children)
- Increased risk of traffic accidents (for adults)
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
- Nose sounds "blocked" when the person speaks
- Noisy breathing during the day
- Decreased sense of smell or taste

In adults, enlargement of the tonsils and adenoid can cause to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in long time (Source: Cor Pulmonale: A Disorder Stemming From Pulmonary Hypertension).

Negative Effects of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy on Child Personality and Behavior

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy have been thought to significantly relate with children's growth and learning capability.

This happens in children with tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy mainly in two ways:

First, adenotonsillar hypertrophy can lead to obstructive sleep apne syndrome (OSA) in children and OSA can lead to behavioral disturbances and learning deficits in children by different mechanisms.

Second, adenoid hypertrophy can cause to serous otitis media and hearing loss in children. Therefore, a decrease in school performance, perception difficulties and irritability can occur in these children.

Tonsillar Asymmetry

In patients with asymptomatic tonsil asymmetry underlying tumor disease may occur very rarely. Tumor suspicion is greater in patients with increasing of unilateral tonsillar enlargement. Significant tonsillary asymmetry may indicate a serious underlying pathology, such as lymphoma and tonsillar tumors.

Symptoms of tonsil cancer are very similar to symptoms of strep throat. indication for tonsillectomy will be emerged if the increase in the unilateral tonsillar size detected. In this case the patient should contact to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Parotid tomors rarely can also cause medial displacement of the tonsil thus tonsillar asymmetry.

Source Links :

Horlama ve Uyku Apnesi

Bademciklerin Yapısı ve Görevleri

Impact of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy on Child Personality ...

Tonsillar Asymmetry from a Parotid Tumor — NEJM

Significance of asymptomatic tonsil asymmetry

Tonsil and Adenoid Disease - Department of Otolaryngology ...

Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids - Merck Manuals

Adenoid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tonsils and Adenoids: MedlinePlus

Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul

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