what are tonsils for?

Answer 1

Tonsils are the first line of defense for your immune system. Tonsils trap bacteria and virus and fight off infections.

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgical/tonsil.html

Answer 2

The 'tonsils' is a colloquialism referring to the palatine tonsils. They consist of immune system cells arranged together in a nodule on each side of the throat and are part of a ring of similar tissue surrounding the back of the nose and throat called Waldeyer's Ring.

Immune system cells residing together in areas of the body are known as lymphoid tissue. This serves as a reservoir for these cells in which they can perform various functions to defend the body and from where they can travel to an infection or other event they are needed at. In addition to the functions common to all lymphoid tissues, the tonsils are thought to have an additional special function probably most important during very early childhood. This is that of 'antigen presentation', basically a form of threat identification. Anything that goes in the mouth to be swallowed is rubbed onto the tonsils so certain immune system cells can have a good look at it and decide what if any response is required. After early childhood, you've already been exposed to anything very common or important just about, and anyway all lymphoid tissue is capable of performing the same function, just that the tonsils are perhaps a little better placed to do it.

Finally, there's absolutely no evidence of significant immunocompromise following removal.

Answer 3

Actually, tonsils are organs that we don't even use anymore. In older (caveman) times, they were used for something (I can't remember exactly), but since we've evolved as a people, we have no use for tonsils. This is why people get them removed all of the time... they serve no purpose anymore. People are constantly getting tonsilitis, enlarged tonsils, and have them removed. Out of my mom, dad, brother, sister, husband, and myself, I am the only person WITH tonsils!

Answer 4

What Are Tonsils

Answer 5

Tonsils are the first line of defence in the throat to stop infections going down into the body.

Answer 6

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 7

functions of tonsils are as follows:

1) It monitors the quality of the air, food and water which enter our body

2) It plays a major role in body immunity mechanism and antibody reaction most probably in childhood

3) It is helpful in forming lymphocytes (white blood cells) which protect our body as a defence mechanism.

4) It becomes as red swollen inflamed mass (danger light) indicating any infection entering our body

5) It traps the germs that enter the body by its antibodies and drains it into the lymph node for elimination

6) It is also supposed to kill bacteria that enter into the tonsil through the blood stream.

Answer 8

To give humans hell from sore throats and tonsilitis. I want to know why we have all these redundant parts in our bodies that we can so easily do without!

And these days, if you get your tonsils taken out, they don't even give you ice-cream! How pants is that?!

Answer 9

Don't believe any other answer. Tonsils do NOT keep you from getting bacteria or from getting sick, they often make people sick as they did with me when I was a child!!!! Trust me on this one. Tonsils are for absolutely nothing. They serve no purpose whatsoever for the body. I had to have mine removed when I was a child because they were causing me to get sick all the time. This was fun b/c I got to have steak the night before and then all the ice cream I could eat afterwards! Talk about a kid's fantasy! Once I had them removed, I hardly get sick anymore. I don't miss them at all!!!!!!

Answer 10

They are used as filters for sinus drainage. But they can go bad, just like your filters in your car engine. I had mine out about a yr ago, and I dont get sick like I was, and it also got that nasty taste out of my mouth I was having so much. One thing, tonsils DONT grow back like so many say. One gone, theyre gone.