Almonds (tonsils) – function, structure & symptoms

Tonsils

The human tonsils are also called tonsils in technical terms. They are lymphatic organs. They are located in the oral cavity and in the throat. Tonsillitis (tonsillitis or angina tonsillaris) is the most common tonsil disease.

Definition

In a narrower sense, the lymphatic organs colloquially referred to as tonsils mean the two palatine tonsils or tonsils. Tonsils have no afferent lymphatics. In addition to the palatine tonsils, a person has pharyngeal tonsils, tube tonsils and lingual tonsils. The palatine tonsils are found at the transition between the oral cavity and the pharynx. They are located between the anterior and posterior arches of the palate. Their function is to develop the immune system during the first years of life. Their job is to ward off harmful bacteria and viruses .

Anatomy

Almonds are a collection of lymph nodes that are bounded by connective tissue. They lie just below the epithelium of the mucous membrane. The lymphorecticular tissue of the tonsils includes the pits and sunken epithelial pockets, also called crypts. These crypts are depressions that serve to increase the surface area of ​​the tonsils.

A jagged surface relief can often be observed on the almonds. As a result, a total tonsil surface of up to 300 cm2 can be achieved in an adult human. This is a significant expansion of the mucous membrane that lines the pharynx. The tonsils are underlaid by so-called flushing glands.

The surface of the tonsils is covered with a layered squamous epithelium. It is a tissue that consists of flat cells that are connected to each other and are particularly stable. Beneath this tissue is a dense collection of B lymphocytes, which multiply into plasma cells called lymphoid follicles.

From the first to the third year of life, the tonsils get bigger and bigger. When puberty begins, they slowly regress. After that, the tonsils no longer play a crucial role in building up the immune system . The different tonsils are located in the oral cavity , in the nasal cavity and in the pharynx. If the tonsils are swollen, they are easily visible when the mouth is open.

The pharyngeal tonsils are located directly on the roof of the throat, the lingual tonsils are at the base of the tongue and the tubal tonsils are near the auditory tube of the inner ear. All types of almonds have the same structure. It is always a collection of lymphoid follicles. They are located below the mucous membrane and consist of deep indentations.

Function

Almonds are of particular importance for the human immune system. They monitor the entrances to the body in the head area. Breath and food enter the body. Tonsils support the immune system here. They analyze invading structures for bacteria and viruses. They are a kind of early warning system.

The activity of the tonsils can stimulate other body defenses to become active when damaging structures penetrate. The nasal airways are controlled by the adenoids on the roof of the throat. Food must pass through the lingual tonsils and the palatine tonsils. Together, the tonsils are part of a defense system in the human body that fights bacteria and viruses. This defense system includes the lymph nodes distributed throughout the body , the thymus, the bone marrow and the spleen .

Bacteria and viruses can become lodged in the many bulges of the tonsils, which are made of soft, spongy tissue. If these pathogens are already known, they can be fought on site with defense cells. If the germs are unknown, they enter the body and are fought there by the rest of the immune system.

Diseases

  • Tonsillensteine

Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) is one of the most common diseases that doctors are consulted for. The inflammation of the tonsils can be acute, but also chronic or recurrent. These inflammatory processes are triggered either by bacteria or by viruses. If the tonsils are inflamed, they will be noticeably red and swollen. Whitish-yellowish fibrin coatings can also occur.

Inflammation can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. A weak general condition or a weakened immune system promotes tonsillitis accordingly. Group A streptococci are usually the cause of bacterial tonsillitis. Stress and additional illnesses can also promote tonsillitis.

More common acute tonsillitis can progress to a chronic form. Then the tonsil tissue is permanently inflamed. Bacteria and dead cells are then stored in the crypts of the tonsil tissue and lead to persistent irritation of the tissue. It’s scarred and jagged. In this way, it increasingly offers targets for inflammation. It comes to fever , throat or swallowing problems .

The pain increases significantly in the upper neck area. The pain can radiate to the ears, while fatigue and headaches are other symptoms. Tonsillitis can cause complications in the body. Bacteria can colonize other organs starting from the tonsils. Also, nasty tonsil stones can form in the crypts of food debris, dead cells, and bacteria.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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