Adenoids
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Adenoids, also known as pharyngeal tonsils, are folds of lymphatic tissue situated at the back of the throat, specifically in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx, behind the uvula. Covered by ciliated epithelium, adenoids serve as a first line of defense in the body's immune system.
Function[edit | edit source]
Being a crucial component of the immune system, adenoids play a pivotal role in trapping inhaled viruses and bacteria, subsequently producing antibodies to combat them. This function is especially pronounced in children and undergoes a natural decline with age as the adenoids recede. Consequently, adults rarely experience complications from enlarged adenoids.
Removal[edit | edit source]
In some instances, the pharyngeal tonsils undergo hypertrophy, leading to their enlargement, which is commonly termed adenoids. These enlarged adenoids can lead to nasal obstruction, impeding normal breathing. In such cases, a medical procedure, known as adenoidectomy, is typically recommended. This surgery is performed through the mouth under a general anaesthetic. During the procedure, the adenoids can either be curetted or cauterised.
Some of the common reasons to opt for adenoidectomy include:
Sleep apnea resulting from adenoid obstruction Recurrent adenoid infections Distorted speech patterns Chronic ear infections stemming from adenoid blockage of the eustachian tube In many instances, adenoidectomy is conducted concurrently with tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of the tonsils.
Historical accounts, such as in Roald Dahl's autobiography Boy: Tales of Childhood, illustrate that adenoid removal procedures in earlier times were performed without the aid of anaesthetics.
The esteemed 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica offered sage advice of the era, noting: "Operations should not be performed in cold weather or in piercing east winds, and it is advisable to keep the child indoors for a day or two subsequent to its performance. To expose a child just after operating on his throat to the risks of a journey by train or omnibus is highly inadvisable."
References[edit | edit source]
BUPA Health Fact Sheet. "Adenoidectomy" US National Library of Medicine. "Enlarged Adenoids"
See also[edit | edit source]
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