Question

Pharyngeal tonsils are
(a) Near-surface of the tongue
(b) At the back of the throat
(c) Active throughout life
(d) Adenoids

Answer 1

Hint: Pharyngeal tonsil refers to a collection of lymphoid tissue within the mucosa of the roof of the nasopharynx. It is a lymphatic organ that is located in the aerodigestive tract and is a type of lymph node.

Complete answer:
Pharyngeal tonsil is found within the midline of the nasopharynx and forms the superior aspects of Walderyer’s ring. When enlarged, the adenoid is additionally referred to as the adenoids. The epithelial covering of the adenoid is collated pseudostratified epithelium.
- In children it adenoid tonsil forms a soft mound within the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx, slightly below the uvula
- In reference to the oropharyngeal isthmus, there are several aggregations of lymphatic tissue that constitute waldeyer’s lymphatic ring.
- Pharyngeal tonsil ring contains:
One adenoid
Two tubal tonsils
Two palatine tonsils
One lingual tonsil
- The involution of the tonsils within the immune begins after puberty, leading to a decrease of the B cell population and a relative increase within the ratio of T to B cell.
- In 1543, the tonsils were first described by Versalius in detail along with the sanguine irritation. Later Wilhelm Von Waldeyer in the nineteenth century gave a detailed description of the anatomical and histological aspects of the tonsils.
- In 1661 the adenoid was first observed by Conrad Victor Schneider. The term adenoid referred to the abnormal growth of the tonsils of the pharyngeal region, also called adenoid hypertrophy.

Note:
- Tonsils are larger non- encapsulated or partially encapsulated masses of lymphatic tissue.
- Tonsils are for the direct transport of foreign material from the outside to the lymphoid cells.
- Tonsils are in contrast to lymph nodes, which depend upon antigenic delivery through afferent lymphatics.
- The tonsil produces antibodies locally also as B cells, which migrate to other sites around the pharynx and periglandular lymphoid tissues to supply antibiotics.