Palatine tonsil

The palatine tonsils ( tonsillitis ) is a paired, almond- shaped lymphoid organ between front and rear arched palate, part of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring. It occurs in humans and most other mammals, the pig is not formed. The palatine tonsil is, like all the tonsils, the defense against pathogens.

Construction

The tonsils are located on either side in the niche between the anterior and posterior palatal arch, the so-called almond bay. Laterally they are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. They consist of one to two centimeters thick, lymphatic tissue and are covered with several layer, unverhorntem squamous epithelium. The surface of the tonsils, is deepened by a gap -shaped depressions, which are referred to as the crypts. They extend deep into the almonds and giving them a rugged look. In these depressions food particles accumulate in small amounts, which are colonized by bacteria. From the side of almonds leukocytes are added to this and desquamated epithelial cells. This mixture is called detritus that collects in the cavities, where the immune contact between the body and the outside world now takes place. Therefore, the almonds are also sometimes referred to as " physiological wounds ". Regularly, the crypts emptied so that new food waste, push in new bacteria and white blood cells, the new bacteria " get to know " can. This discharge is sometimes in the form of white Tonsillarpfröpfe visible ( tonsillolith ).

The excretion of these Mandelpfröpfe is often mistakenly interpreted by laymen as tonsillitis. Detritus alone, without any other symptoms such as pain, malaise or fever is not a sign of infection, but completely physiological.

Supply

The palatine tonsil is supplied by the following arteries:

• Palatine artery, descending from the maxillary artery
• Ascending palatine artery from the facial artery
• Rami dorsal lingual from the lingual artery

These arteries can be injured in a tonsillectomy and lead to excessive bleeding.

Venous drainage is via the pharyngeal plexus ( plexus venosus pharyngeal ) in the internal jugular vein.

The neural supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve ( cranial nerve IX ) and maxillary nerve.

Diseases

→ Main article: Tonsillitis

An inflammatory enlargement of the tonsils narrows the throat, causing sore throat, such as difficulty swallowing, may be accompanied by fever and is colloquially referred to as a cold with a sore throat. Often viruses are responsible; then no specific treatment is possible, but only symptomatic. For bacterial infections may be indicated antibiotic therapy. An inflammation of the tonsils is known as tonsillitis (often incorrectly abbreviated to angina ).

A tonsillitis can either be a localized inflammation or as a symptom of systemic diseases (such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhoid, syphilis ) occur and also relate to further almonds revenge of the lymphatic ring.

In recurrent suppurative inflammation or an acute accumulation of pus (abscess ), a tonsillectomy, a surgical removal of the tonsils, be necessary.

• Lymphatic System