People usually find out what tonsils are when they become inflamed. True, the second question immediately arises: "Why are tonsils needed?"
To get an accurate and competent answer, you need to find out for yourself the following: where are the tonsils; the structure of the tonsils; functions of the tonsils.
How to see and where are
Glands are small, specific formations of lymphoid tissue. There are 6 of them in total: two paired and two unpaired. Together they form the pharyngeal ring. The tonsils are located in the place where the nasopharynx passes into the pharynx. In terms of size, they can be compared to the average walnut. By the way, they got the name "tonsils" due to the external resemblance to him. But their color is pink. Note that it is wrong to say "tonsils and tonsils". This is the same. If inflammation occurs, they change their appearance. Why are tonsils needed? Basically, to protect the body.
When the lymph nodes in the neck become inflamed, they are often confused with glands. To clearly understand what specifically worries a person, you need to know where the tonsils are located.
To examine the tonsils in both the throat and the mouth, a person is examined with endoscopic equipment that is connected to a computer monitor. With the help of a special apparatus, the doctor easily examines each tonsil. He can even show the image to the patient, along the way explaining where they are located and what their appearance says.
What are
The tonsils are usually classified according to the place where they can be located. Thus, they are:
- palatine (paired);
- pharyngeal or nasopharyngeal (unpaired);
- pipe (paired);
- lingual (unpaired).
Let's take a closer look:
- Palatine. These glands in humans are located between a pair of palatine arches - in tonsillar niches. As mentioned, they are the only ones available for self inspection. To see them, it is enough to open your mouth wider.
- Pharyngeal (nasopharyngeal). Many people know about its existence under a different name. Very often you can hear that this amygdala is called adenoids. Its location is the posterior vault of the nasopharynx. It is impossible to see where these adenoids are located and how they look. They become visible with excessive growth and overhanging behind the tongue. The tonsil of the pharynx is often a significant problem for children, as well as their parents. Overgrown adenoids do not allow full breathing, because of them hearing decreases, and otitis media begin to develop. Such babies are under the supervision of a doctor. An enlarged pharyngeal gland is now treated with conservative methods. If they are unsuccessful, they resort to surgery.
Pipe. This paired tonsil is small in size. It should be located at the mouth of the Eustachian tube, in the nasal cavity. If the amygdala enlarges, it can cause hearing problems and cause chronic otitis media. After all, the overgrowth of this accumulation of lymphoid tissue closes the communication between the middle ear and the nasal cavity.- Lingual. It can be found near the root of the tongue. Has a rough and bumpy appearance. If the lingual gland is inflamed, a person will feel sharp pain in the process of eating and talking.
Pipe. This paired tonsil is small in size. It should be located at the mouth of the Eustachian tube, in the nasal cavity. If the amygdala enlarges, it can cause hearing problems and cause chronic otitis media. After all, the overgrowth of this accumulation of lymphoid tissue closes the communication between the middle ear and the nasal cavity.Tonsil device
All tonsils, and the structure and structure of which are almost the same, still have a number of features:
- Palatines are distinguished by the fact that they are pierced by special depressions (lacunae or crypts). In both glands, there are approximately 10-15 such lacunae. Such depressions can be visually perceived as holes. With the second surface, through the capsule, the palatine tonsils firmly adhered to the side of the pharynx. The crypts form many branches that form a whole tree-like network within the amygdala. Torn pieces of epithelium, waste products of microorganisms, enter the gaps of the lacunae. Thus, lacunas are a kind of traps for pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as a place for the immune system to "meet" harmful microbes.
The pharyngeal (nasopharyngeal) is represented by several transverse folds of the mucous membrane. The epithelium with cilia, located on the outer part of the tonsils, forms its entire surface.- A specific surface in the form of tubercles of the lingual gland is provided by the squamous epithelium. It is divided in half by means of a septum and a groove passing through its center. Near it there is a depression where the ducts of the salivary glands go out.
- Tubal glands are the smallest. Their main task is to protect the hearing organ from infection. The structure of the tonsils is a continuous lymphoid diffuse tissue interspersed with nodules.
The pharyngeal (nasopharyngeal) is represented by several transverse folds of the mucous membrane. The epithelium with cilia, located on the outer part of the tonsils, forms its entire surface.Each tonsil, both in the throat and in the mouth, has follicles over its entire surface, as well as inside. When the tonsils are healthy, the required number of plasma cells, macrophages and lymphocytes is actively produced in them and in the lacunae.
These cells fight infections that affect the upper respiratory tract. If a person gets sore throat, then they, together with foreign microorganisms, are part of the pus contained in the lacunae and follicles.
What are tonsils for?
All people are born with a complete set of 6 tonsils. The glands reach their peak in the first years of a child's life. But when sex hormones begin to appear (at about 15-16 years of age), their regression is observed - there is a gradual atrophy and a decrease in the size of the tonsils.
Tonsils and their functions in the human body have not been fully studied to this day. However, their main role has been determined. It consists in protecting and creating local immunity, which resists pathogenic microbes that enter the body through the airborne droplets.
Nature has assigned several functions to the tonsils, with which they, being healthy, successfully cope:
- Barrier. Viruses and bacteria that enter the body or are already in it will certainly come into contact with the tonsils. The tonsils are necessary, first of all, in order to timely eliminate many harmful microorganisms. The cells produced by the lymphoid tissue (the tonsils are made of it) are engaged in their destruction.
- Immunogenic. The tonsils are a mini-factory for the production of B-lymphocytes as well as T-lymphocytes. It is this body that is responsible for such an important process. These cells are responsible for the functioning of the immune system.
Hematopoietic. It is observed only in young children.- Enzyme-producing. In babies, the tonsils secrete specific enzymes that are involved in the process of oral digestion.
Hematopoietic. It is observed only in young children.We emphasize that the tonsils perform all the listed functions in full only when they are in order. When their tissues are affected by inflammation, the entire body suffers. Its self-defense ability is greatly reduced. Because of this, the risk of developing various complications increases, which can adversely affect any organs and even their systems.
Interestingly, the tonsils sometimes give a certain tone of speech in general and the timbre of the voice in particular. This nuance must be taken into account if their removal is shown in patients who work with voice (television announcers, pop performers, teachers, and so on).
By the way, "French pronons" in some cases may be the result of enlarged adenoids or an increase in the palatine tonsils.
Is it necessary to delete
On the topic "Why does a person need tonsils at all?" have been debating for many decades. Today, most doctors nevertheless concluded that the removal of tonsils should be resorted to only when their chronic sluggish inflammation causes significant harm to the body and because of them the lymph nodes in the neck periodically inflame. In addition, such an operation is justified if the patient is diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis, which is not amenable to conservative treatment. With pathological growth of the tonsil tissue in a person, it becomes difficult to move food, it becomes difficult for him to swallow. In this case, of course, there is no other way out.
The best otolaryngologists in the world do not recommend removing tonsils for children under 5 years of age. It is necessary to wait until the immune system gets stronger. Therefore, up to 5 years, only conservative treatment is prescribed.
At an early age, removing tonsils is also undesirable because, apparently, they prevent food allergies from manifesting. According to statistics, 70% of children who have had their tonsils removed suffer from dysbiosis and manifestations of food allergies.
If purulent plugs do not form on the tonsils, if they do not become inflamed at the first symptoms of a cold and if they do not cause discomfort, and the lymph nodes on the neck are in order, there is no need to remove them. If the tonsils are in perfect order, they bring only one benefit to the body.
Let's summarize
Tonsils are an important link in immunity. Their presence allows you to fully protect the body from the unfavorable influence of external factors. After all, it is the tonsils that take the first blow of pathogens. This is a kind of outpost of immunity.
In order for the tonsils to perform their functions efficiently, everything must be done to preserve their health. Unfortunately, many do not even think about why our bodies need them and what their role is. Therefore, it is so easy to agree to removal, despite the fact that the operation is absolutely unjustified. It is very important to try to preserve the tonsils. You can only delete them as a last resort.
