Just wondering - I might need them removed.
2007-01-11 20:58:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Tonsil act as filters, catching germs and killing them before they get further into the body. If they get infected they essentially become germ factories and start pumping out toxins. Really bad breath is one sign of tonsils being infected, another sign is snoring. You can get through life with out them because you have several "backup" germ-fighting systems.
2007-01-11 21:07:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. An infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis. Most commonly, the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.
As with other organs of the lymphatic system, the tonsils act as part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In particular, they are believed to be involved in helping fight off pharyngeal and upper respiratory tract infections.
Tonsils in humans include, from superior to inferior:
Name Epithelium Capsule? Crypts? Location
adenoids (also termed "pharyngeal tonsils") ciliated pseudostratified (respiratory epithelium) No No roof of pharynx
palatine tonsils non-keratinized stratified squamous Yes Yes sides of pharynx between glossopalatine
and pharyngopalatine arches
lingual tonsils non-keratinized stratified squamous No Yes behind terminal sulcus (tongue)
Together this set of lymphatic tissue is known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.
Tonsils tend to reach their largest size near puberty, and they gradually undergo atrophy thereafter. However, they are largest relative to the diameter of the throat in young children, and tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) may be indicated if they are obstructing the airway or interfering with swallowing.
2007-01-11 21:05:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The tonsils and adenoids are thought to assist the body in its defense against incoming bacteria and viruses by helping the body to form antibodies. However, this function may only be important during the first year of life. In fact, there is no evidence to support a significant role of the tonsils and adenoids in immunity. Medical studies have shown that children who must have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss whatsoever in their future immunity to disease. The popular myth that they act as filters to bacteria is untrue, not to mention impossible.
read the facts here..
http://www.medicinenet.com/adenoids_and_tonsils/article.htm
2007-01-11 21:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by Lorene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are usually to stop your throat getting infected and will flare up first before your throat does, kinda an early warning system! But not really any use for them at all!
2007-01-11 21:02:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that you must remove the tonsils
2007-01-11 21:05:27 · answer #5 · answered by lukinoblu 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In response to British: It wouldn't be in the mouth of men either, if that were actually the case.
In response to you: It fights off bacteria when you get sick.
2007-01-11 21:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
speech and sound the learning process not for everyday use.
2007-01-11 21:02:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So men know how far to go.
2007-01-11 21:00:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
they supposed to stop infections
2007-01-11 21:05:02 · answer #9 · answered by sukis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋