Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are They?FunctionCauses of EnlargementSymptomsManaging DiscomfortRemovalWhen to Remove
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are They?
Function
Causes of Enlargement
Symptoms
Managing Discomfort
Removal
When to Remove
Tonsilsand the adenoid are small pieces of tissue in the back of your throat. They’re a key part of theimmune system—the first line of defense against viruses, bacteria, and other things that cause illness.
This article looks at what tonsils and adenoids are, what they do, why they get enlarged and the symptoms they cause, home remedies, and why, how, and when they’re removed.
PhotoAlto / Ale Ventura / Getty Images.
What Are Tonsils and Adenoids?
If you open your mouth wide and look at your throat in a mirror, you’ll see two round lumps in the back of the throat on either side of your soft palate. Those are your tonsils.
The adenoid is a patch of tissue higher up in the throat, behind the roof of your mouth and your nose.Unlike tonsils, you can’t see it through your mouth. Healthcare providers use special instruments to look at the adenoid.
Tonsils and adenoids are made oflymphatictissue, making them part of yourlymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for clearing away infection and balancing your bodily fluids.
The Tonsils: Function and Location
What Do Tonsils and Adenoids Do?
Tonsils and adenoids trap some of the germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that enter your body through your nose and mouth. Your tonsils contain lots ofwhite blood cells. These function as part of the immune system to react to germs and kill invaders.
Their position behind the nose and mouth means tonsils and adenoids can head off disease-causing agents before they get very far into your body.
What Causes Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids?
Sometimes, tonsils and adenoids can become inflamed while they try to fight off an infection. Usually, this swelling goes away once the infection is defeated.
That’s not always the case, though. They sometimes stay enlarged after the infection clears up. Common causes of inflamed tonsils and adenoids include:
Some children also have naturally large tonsils and adenoids.
Enlarged and/or inflamed tonsils and adenoids can cause symptoms and may lead to a need for treatment, which may include medication orsurgical removal.
Tonsillitis vs. Strep Throat
Possible Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of enlarged tonsils may be:
Enlarged adenoids can cause:
Home Remedies to Manage Discomfort
To manage the discomfort of inflamed tonsils and adenoids in yourself or your child, you may want to try:
You should contact your healthcare provider for symptoms including:
Medical TreatmentYour healthcare provider may suggest antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays, or surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Medical Treatment
Your healthcare provider may suggest antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays, or surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Why and How Tonsils and Adenoids Are Removed
Tonsils and adenoids that cause repeated or severe problems may need to be removed, especially if they don’t respond to treatment withantibioticsorsteroid nasal sprays. It’s common for both tonsils and adenoids to be removed in a single surgery.
For atonsillectomyand/oradenoidectomy, you’ll be under general anesthesia, which makes you sleep through the procedure. To remove the tonsils, the surgeon most often uses an electric instrument that cuts out the tonsils and cauterizes the area.
What Is Cauterizing?Cauterizing is the use of heat or chemicals to seal up a wound. It’s used to prevent bleeding and infection.
What Is Cauterizing?
Cauterizing is the use of heat or chemicals to seal up a wound. It’s used to prevent bleeding and infection.
To remove the adenoid, the surgeon surgically excises or cauterizes the adenoid down to its base.
Do You Need Your Tonsils or Adenoids Removed?
When Is Removal Recommended?
Your healthcare provider or your child’s may recommend removing the tonsils and/or adenoids if:
It’s unusual for a healthcare provider to recommend removal simply because tonsils or adenoids are enlarged.
Summary
Tonsils and adenoids are part of the immune system’s first line of defense, blocking disease-causing agents that enter through your nose and mouth. The tonsils are in the back of your throat, one on each side. The adenoids sit behind the nose.
Tonsils and adenoids can become inflamed during infection, and sometimes enlargement lingers after the infection is gone. Enlargement can cause symptoms such as a sore throat and trouble breathing or eating.
If problems are persistent, the tonsils and adenoids may need to be removed.
Throat Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: ENThealth.Tonsils and adenoids.Boston Children’s Hospital.Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.MedlinePlus.Adenoids.InformedHealth.org.How do the tonsils work?University of Pennsylvania Medical School: PennMedicine.Tonsilitis.University of Michigan Medical School: Michigan Medicine.When should a child’s tonsils come out?National Cancer Institute.Cauterize.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: ENThealth.Tonsils and adenoids.Boston Children’s Hospital.Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.MedlinePlus.Adenoids.InformedHealth.org.How do the tonsils work?University of Pennsylvania Medical School: PennMedicine.Tonsilitis.University of Michigan Medical School: Michigan Medicine.When should a child’s tonsils come out?National Cancer Institute.Cauterize.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: ENThealth.Tonsils and adenoids.Boston Children’s Hospital.Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.MedlinePlus.Adenoids.InformedHealth.org.How do the tonsils work?University of Pennsylvania Medical School: PennMedicine.Tonsilitis.University of Michigan Medical School: Michigan Medicine.When should a child’s tonsils come out?National Cancer Institute.Cauterize.
American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: ENThealth.Tonsils and adenoids.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
MedlinePlus.Adenoids.
InformedHealth.org.How do the tonsils work?
University of Pennsylvania Medical School: PennMedicine.Tonsilitis.
University of Michigan Medical School: Michigan Medicine.When should a child’s tonsils come out?
National Cancer Institute.Cauterize.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
