adenoid
American Heritage Dictionary:
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ad·e·noid
(ăd'n-oid') 
n.
One of two masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nose in the upper part of the throat that may obstruct normal breathing and make speech difficult when swollen. Often used in the plural.
adj.
Of or relating to lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue; lymphoid.
n.
One of two masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nose in the upper part of the throat that may obstruct normal breathing and make speech difficult when swollen. Often used in the plural.
adj.
Of or relating to lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue; lymphoid.
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:
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adenoids
Mass of lymphoid tissue, similar to the (palatine) tonsils, on the back wall of the nasal pharynx. If the adenoids become infected in childhood, their inflammation can obstruct nasal breathing and sinus drainage (promoting sinusitis) and block the eustachian tubes that connect to the middle ear (setting the stage for otitis). Surgical removal of enlarged or infected adenoids is frequently recommended.
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Columbia Encyclopedia:
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adenoids
adenoids (ăd'ənoidz'), common name for the pharyngeal tonsils, spongy masses of lymphoid tissue that occupy the nasopharynx, the space between the back of the nose and the throat. Normally the adenoids, like the palatine tonsils located on either side of the throat, help prevent infection in the surrounding tissues. However, when they become enlarged they interfere with normal breathing and sometimes with hearing. When severely enlarged, adenoids can affect normal dental development, resulting in an alteration of facial expression. Infection of the adenoids is common, the symptoms resembling those of tonsillitis, with which it is frequently associated. Surgical removal of the adenoids is advisable when enlargement and repeated infection interfere with development and health. See respiration.
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(ad-n-oydz, ad-noydz)Adenoids are sometimes surgically removed along with the tonsils if they are persistently inflamed (see inflammation). Swollen adenoids give a distinctive nasal sound to the voice.
Two masses of tissue at the junction of the nose and throat, which, like the tonsils, function in the lymphatic system. They help filter out harmful microorganisms that can cause infection. Continually swollen adenoids may interfere with breathing and affect speech.
Word Tutor:
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adenoids
IN BRIEF: Abnormally enlarged masses of lymphoid tissue at the back of the pharynx.
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Mosby's Dental Dictionary:
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adenoid
adj
1. having a glandular appearance, particularly lymphoid. n.pl 2. adenoids refer to the pharyngeal tonsils located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
Random House Word Menu:
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categories related to 'adenoids'
- Head and Neck - adenoids: growths of lymphoid tissue in upper pharynx at rear of throat
Translations:
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Adenoids
Dansk (Danish)
n. pl. - polypper, adenoide vegetationer
Français (French)
n. pl. - adénoïdes, végétations
Deutsch (German)
n. pl. - Rachenmandel, Gaumenmandel, Polypen
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. pl. - (ιατρ.) αδενοειδείς εκβλαστήσεις, αδενοειδίτιδα (κν. κρεατάκια)
Português (Portuguese)
n. pl. - adenóides (f) (Med.)
Español (Spanish)
n. pl. - adenoides
Svenska (Swedish)
n. pl. - polyper (med.)
中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
腺状肿大, 扁桃腺肥大
中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. pl. - 腺狀腫大, 扁桃腺肥大
한국어 (Korean)
n. pl. - 아데노이드(인후 편도선 증식 비대증)
עברית (Hebrew)
n. pl. - פוליפים
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American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 1994-2012 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/.
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Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: Health
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and
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Saunders Veterinary Dictionary
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.
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Mosby's Dental Dictionary
Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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