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A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections.
[From Latin tōnsillae, tonsils, diminutive of tōlēs, swollen tonsils.]
tonsillar ton'sil·lar adj.Localized aggregation of diffuse and nodular lymphoid tissue found in the region where the nasal and oral cavities open into the pharynx. The tonsils are important sources of blood lymphocytes. They often become inflamed and enlarged, necessitating surgical removal. See also Tonsillitis.
The two palatine (faucial) tonsils are almond-shaped bodies measuring 1 by 0.5 in. (2.5 by 1.2 cm) and are embedded between folds of tissue connecting the pharynx and posterior part of the tongue with the soft palate. These are the structures commonly known as the tonsils. The lingual tonsil occupies the posterior part of the tongue surface. It is really a collection of 35–100 separate tonsillar units, each having a single crypt surrounded by lymphoid tissue. Each tonsil forms a smooth swelling about 0.08–0.16 in. (2–4 mm) in diameter. The pharyngeal tonsil (called adenoids when enlarged) occupies the roof of the nasal part of the pharynx. This tonsil may enlarge to block the nasal passage, forcing mouth breathing. See also Lymphatic system.
One of two small tissue masses on opposite sides of the oropharynx, between the faucial pillars, which are believed to serve as the first line of defense against bacteria that enters the oral cavity via the mouth.
For more information on tonsil, visit Britannica.com.
Pertaining to or emanating from tonsil (1).
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.
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.
Tonsils in humans include, from superior to inferior:
| Name | Epithelium | Capsule? | Crypts? | Location |
| adenoids (also termed "pharyngeal tonsils") | ciliated pseudostratified (respiratory epithelium) | Incompletely encapsulated | No | roof of pharynx |
| palatine tonsils | non-keratinized stratified squamous | Incompletely encapsulated | Yes | sides of pharynx between glossopalatine and pharyngopalatine arches |
| lingual tonsils | non-keratinized stratified squamous | Incompletely encapsulated | Yes | behind terminal sulcus (tongue) |
Together this set of lymphatic tissue is known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.
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. Also, when tonsils become overly enlarged or inflamed they may need to be surgically removed.
| Lymphatics of head and neck | |
|---|---|
| Head | Occipital - Mastoid - Parotid (Preauricular) - Buccinator - Submandibular - Submental - Retropharyngeal |
| Neck | Cervical (Superficial, Superior deep, Inferior deep) - Supraclavicular (Virchow's) - Paratracheal - Jugular trunk |
| Tonsils/Waldeyer's tonsillar ring | Palatine - Lingual - Adenoid - Tubal |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Dansk (Danish)
n. - (Anat.) mandel
Français (French)
n. - amygdale
Deutsch (German)
n. - Mandel, Tonsille
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ανατ.) αμυγδαλή
Português (Portuguese)
n. - amígdala (f), tonsila (f)
Русский (Russian)
миндалевидная железа
Español (Spanish)
n. - amígdala
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - halsmandel, tonsill (med.)
中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
扁桃腺
中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 扁桃腺
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) أحدى لوزتي ألحلق, أللوزة
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - שקד (בלוטה)
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Sci-Tech Encyclopedia. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| 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. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tonsil". Read more |
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| Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more |
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