The pharyngeal tonsil, called the adenoids when enlarged, is a pad of lymphoid tissue on the roof and back wall of the nasopharynx, behind the nose. It is prominent in young children, usually largest around age 3-7, and normally shrinks markedly by adolescence.
| Location | Mucosa of the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx, in front of the basilar part of the occipital bone and above the soft palate |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pharyngeal plexus (glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves); Maxillary nerve (pharyngeal branch) |
| Blood Supply | Ascending pharyngeal artery; Ascending palatine artery; Pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery; Tonsillar branch of the facial artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
Samples inhaled antigens in the nasopharynx and helps develop immune responses in early childhood.
Enlarged adenoids block the back of the nose, causing mouth breathing, snoring, a nasal voice and sometimes obstructive sleep apnoea. They can also obstruct the openings of the auditory tubes, contributing to glue ear and recurrent ear infections. Adenoidectomy is often combined with grommet insertion or tonsillectomy. A nasopharyngeal mass in an adult needs investigation for cancer.
Enlarged adenoids causing nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing in children.
Fluid in the middle ear linked to auditory tube blockage by enlarged or infected adenoids.
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