adenoids

Adenoids

Common name for the pharyngeal tonsils, which are lymph masses in the wall of the air passageway (pharynx) just behind the nose.

Mentioned in: Salivary Gland Tumors, Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

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adenoids,

one of two masses of lymphatic tissue situated on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx behind the posterior nares. During childhood these masses often swell and block the passage of air from the nasal cavity into the pharynx, preventing the child from breathing through the nose. Also called pharyngeal tonsils. adenoidal, adj.

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adenoids (ad´noidz´),

adj See tonsil, pharyngeal.

adenoid facies,

n an older term used to describe patients who exhibit a long, narrow face, short upper lip, oral cavity breathing, and a hyperactive swallowing pattern. Newer term is
long face syndrome.

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adenoids

Anatomy 1 Adenoid glands, pharyngeal tonsil Lymphoid tissue that forms a prominence on the wall of the pharyngeal recess of the nasopharynx 2 A popular term for adenoidal hypertrophy, see there

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Patient discussion about adenoids.

Q. When should the tonsils and/or adenoids should be removed?

A. Currently the tonsillectomy is recommended in the presence of 6 episodes of throat infection (Group A strep pharyngitis) in one year or 3-4 episodes in each of 2years. Adenoidectomy may be recommended when tympanostomy tube surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanostomy_tube) failed to prevent ear infection.

Another thing to consider is the presence of oral breathing - the constant use of the mouth for breathing in small children may lead to malformation of the facial bones that would necessitate more extensive surgeries later in life.