Tonsil
From Freepedia
The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis.
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[1] include, from superior to inferior: pharyngeal tonsils (also known as adenoids), tubal tonsils, palatine tonsils, and lingual tonsils. Together this set of lymphatic tissue is called the tonsillar ring or Waldeyer's ring. Tonsils tend to reach their largest size near puberty, and they gradually undergo atrophy thereafter.
Most commonly, the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation the tonsils in the mouth and causes sore throat and fever. It may be caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria and similar appearances may also be seen in glandular fever. Treatment is with painkillers, plenty of fluids and if caused by bacteria then antibiotics; usually penicillin or erythromycin if allergic to penicillins. Amoxicillin should not be used because if mononucleosis is mistaken as tonsillitis and amoxicillin is given, a rash might develop.
Complications
An abscess may develop lateral to the tonsil during an infection, typically several days after the onset of tonsillitis. This is termed a peritonsillar abscess (or quinsy). Very rarely a secondary infection may grow in the abscess which can give rise to a spreading septicaemia infection (Lemierre's syndrome).
In chronic cases (generally defined as 6 or more episodes a year [2]), or in acute cases where the palatine tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.
When bacteria that collect on the tonsils consume mucus that has pooled in pits (referred to as "crypts") in the tonsils, a whitish-yellow deposit known as a tonsillolith is produced. These "tonsil stones" emit a very pungent odor due to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds.
Tonsiloliths (or tonsil stones) which occur in the crypts of the tonsils can only be cured by tonsilectomy or by sealing the crypts by laser. It is still possible to get tonsiloliths after removal of the tonsils unless a complete tonsilectomy is performed.
