Tonsils and Adenoids

Tonsils are located at the back of the throat and are part of the lymphatic system. Once they become infected (a condition known as tonsillitis) the tonsils can swell and cause pain in the throat. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen glands. Sometimes, tonsillitis will resolve itself without any medical intervention, but antibiotics might be necessary to treat the condition.

If tonsillitis recurs frequently, your doctor might discuss a tonsillectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. A tonsillectomy can also help to treat other issues such as snoring, sleep apnea, tonsil stones, difficulty swallowing, or cancer of the tonsils. Similarly, adenoids are also part of the lymphatic system and are located in the nasopharynx where the nose meets the throat. When enlarged or infected, they can cause problems with sleeping or breathing. An adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids.