tonsil

tonsil /ton·sil/ (ton´sil) a small, rounded mass of tissue, especially of lymphoid tissue; generally used alone to designate the palatine tonsil.

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tonsil of cerebellum  a rounded mass of tissue forming part of the caudal lobe of the hemisphere of the cerebellum.

faucial tonsil  palatine t.

lingual tonsil  an aggregation of lymph follicles at the root of the tongue.

Luschka's tonsil  pharyngeal t.

palatine tonsil  a small mass of lymphoid tissue between the pillars of the fauces on either side of the pharynx.

pharyngeal tonsil  the diffuse lymphoid tissue and follicles in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx.

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ton·sil (tnsl)

n.

1. A collection of lymphoid tissue.

2. A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections. Also called faucial tonsil, palatine tonsil.

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tonsil

[ton′səl]

Etymology: L, tonsilla

a small rounded mass of tissue, especially lymphoid tissue, such as that composing the palatine tonsils in the oropharynx. Also called tonsilla. Compare intestinal tonsil, lingual tonsil, palatine tonsil, pharyngeal tonsil.

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tonsil (ton´sil),

n a rounded mass of tissue, usually of a lymphoid nature.

tonsil, lingual,

n a variable mass of lymphoid tissue at the base of the dorsal surface of the tongue.

tonsil, palatine,

n one of two small tissue masses on opposite sides of the oropharynx, between the faucial pillars, which are believed to serve as the first line of defense against bacteria that enters the oral cavity via the oral cavity.

tonsil, pharyngeal

n a mass of lymphoid tissue on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx; also known as the adenoids.

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tonsil

1. a small mass of lymphoid tissue, especially that found in close association with the mucous membrane of the throat; generally used alone to designate the palatine tonsil. Other structures referred to as tonsils are the cecal, lingual, esophageal, paraepiglottic, pharyngeal and tubal lymphoid aggregations.

2. a small mass of tissue.

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cecal tonsil

the accumulated mass of lymphoid tissue in the wall of cecum especially the proximal segment of the avian cecum.

cerebellar tonsil

a rounded mass forming part of the cerebellum on its inferior surface.

esophageal tonsil

large volume of lymphoid tissue in the caudal segment of the duck's esophagus.

follicular tonsil

a tonsil bearing numerous invaginations of its surface epithelium (fossulae) each surrounded by lymphoid tissue to form a follicle, as in the palatine tonsils of cattle or the lingual tonsils of the horse.

lingual tonsil

diffuse collection of lymphoid tissue near the tongue root of most mammals.

palatine tonsil

see palatine tonsil.

paraepiglottic tonsil

a collection of lymphoid tissue craniolateral to the epiglottic base.

pharyngeal tonsil

a collection of lymphoid tissue in the roof of the nasopharynx in pigs.

soft palate tonsil

lymphoid tissue within the soft palate; principal tonsils in pigs in which it forms twin smooth patches of mucosa.

tubal tonsil

the lymphoid tissue clustered close to the pharyngeal orifice of the auditory tube.

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Patient discussion about tonsil.

Q. how do i cure tonsil stones (tonsiloth)?

A. There are very little literature about this subject, but I heard about treatment in which the crypts (deep and narrow grooves on the tongue in which the stones form) are burned with laser.

As far as I know these stones don't cause damage by themselves so it's not such a common treatment.

You may read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillolith

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.