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Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Table of Contents

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Pharyngeal Tonsils; Enlarged Adenoids

Your adenoids are high up in your throat. They trap germs coming into your mouth and nose. Learn about enlarged adenoids, a common problem in children, and the treatment which, in some cases, may require an adenoidectomy.

Adenoid Hypertrophy

Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.

Adenoids

Adenoids, Tonsils and Throat

Image by Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\"

Adenoids, Tonsils and Throat

Tonsils and Throat, including adenoids.

Image by Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\"

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Adenoids are a patch of tissue that is high up in the throat, just behind the nose. They, along with the tonsils, are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. The adenoids and tonsils work by trapping germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

Adenoids usually start to shrink after about age 5. By the teenage years, they are almost completely gone. By then, the body has other ways to fight germs.

What are enlarged adenoids?

Enlarged adenoids are adenoids that are swollen. It is a common problem in children.

Source: NIH

Additional Materials (10)

Tonsils and Adenoids - Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute

Video by BoysTownHospital/YouTube

Tonsils and Adenoids Surgery

Video by Children's Hospital Colorado/YouTube

How the Body Works : The Tonsils and Adenoids

Video by Daniel Izzo/YouTube

What Are Enlarged Tonsils And Adenoids

Video by MyTonsils/YouTube

What are Adenoids?

Video by FreeMedEducation/YouTube

What are adenoids?

Video by Otolaryngologist,ORL,ENT-Medical Office,Artz Praxis/YouTube

Tonsils and Adenoids: Dr. Ahuja, CHOC Children's

Video by CHOC Children's/YouTube

Tonsils and Adenoids - What You Need To Know

Video by Rehealthify/YouTube

Waldeyer ring: Tonsils – Clinical Anatomy (Palatine, lingual, tubal, adenoids) Removal 3 minutes

Video by Medicine in 3 minutes/YouTube

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy: what are they, when do we remove them, what is the surgery like

Video by Gene Liu, MD, MMM/YouTube

2:08

Tonsils and Adenoids - Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute

BoysTownHospital/YouTube

3:41

Tonsils and Adenoids Surgery

Children's Hospital Colorado/YouTube

0:37

How the Body Works : The Tonsils and Adenoids

Daniel Izzo/YouTube

1:50

What Are Enlarged Tonsils And Adenoids

MyTonsils/YouTube

4:43

What are Adenoids?

FreeMedEducation/YouTube

8:45

What are adenoids?

Otolaryngologist,ORL,ENT-Medical Office,Artz Praxis/YouTube

4:31

Tonsils and Adenoids: Dr. Ahuja, CHOC Children's

CHOC Children's/YouTube

1:27

Tonsils and Adenoids - What You Need To Know

Rehealthify/YouTube

2:56

Waldeyer ring: Tonsils – Clinical Anatomy (Palatine, lingual, tubal, adenoids) Removal 3 minutes

Medicine in 3 minutes/YouTube

6:12

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy: what are they, when do we remove them, what is the surgery like

Gene Liu, MD, MMM/YouTube

Causes

Depiction of a person who has an irritated throat

Image by https://www.myupchar.com

Depiction of a person who has an irritated throat

Depiction of a person who has an irritated throat. Various symptoms that may occur alongside an irritated throat have been shown.

Image by https://www.myupchar.com

What Causes Enlarged Adenoids?

Your child's adenoids can be enlarged, or swollen, for different reasons. It may just be that your child had enlarged adenoids at birth. Adenoids can also become enlarged when they are trying to fight off an infection. They might stay enlarged even after the infection is gone.

Source: MedlinePlus (NIH)

Additional Materials (2)

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy: what are they, when do we remove them, what is the surgery like

Video by Gene Liu, MD, MMM/YouTube

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Video by Covenant Health/YouTube

6:12

Adenoids and Adenoidectomy: what are they, when do we remove them, what is the surgery like

Gene Liu, MD, MMM/YouTube

3:04

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Covenant Health/YouTube

Complications

Daddy, stop snoring!

Image by Joshua Hayworth

Daddy, stop snoring!

Image by Joshua Hayworth

What Problems Can Enlarged Adenoids Cause?

Enlarged adenoids can make it hard to breathe through the nose. Your child might end up breathing only through the mouth. This may cause

A dry mouth, which can also lead to bad breath
Cracked lips
A runny nose

Other problems that enlarged adenoids can cause include

Loud breathing
Snoring
Restless sleep
Sleep apnea, where you repeatedly stop breathing for a few seconds while sleeping

Source: MedlinePlus (NIH)

Additional Materials (2)

What Are Enlarged Tonsils And Adenoids

Video by MyTonsils/YouTube

Open airways

Blocked Airways causing obstructive sleep apnea

1

2

1) Open Airways 2) Blocked Airways causing obstructive sleep apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by obstruction of the windpipe, or upper airway. Breathing stops for at least 10 seconds during an OSA episode. While the person struggles to breathe, blood vessels constrict and blood oxygen level falls. Low oxygen levels signal the brain to awaken the person just enough to cause the throat muscles to tighten, opening up the windpipe. Someone with OSA may have hundreds of these episodes each night. Two other types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, in which breathing stops but the person doesn`t make a visible effort to inhale, and complex sleep apnea, which has features of both OSA and central sleep apnea.

Interactive by TheVisualMD

1:50

What Are Enlarged Tonsils And Adenoids

MyTonsils/YouTube

1) Open Airways 2) Blocked Airways causing obstructive sleep apnea

TheVisualMD

Diagnosis

Endoscopy

Image by Yuya Tamai

Endoscopy

Man having an endoscopy procedure.

Image by Yuya Tamai

How Can Enlarged Adenoids Be Diagnosed

Your child's health care provider will take a medical history, check your child's ears, throat, and mouth, and feel your child's neck.

Since the adenoids are higher up than the throat, the health care provider cannot see them just by looking through your child's mouth. To check the size of your child's adenoids, your provider may use

A special mirror in the mouth
A long, flexible tube with a light (an endoscope)
An x-ray

Source: MedlinePlus (NIH)

Additional Materials (2)

Tonsils and Adenoids: Dr. Ahuja, CHOC Children's

Video by CHOC Children's/YouTube

Adenoids

Anatomy of the Lymphatic System

Image by OpenStax College

4:31

Tonsils and Adenoids: Dr. Ahuja, CHOC Children's

CHOC Children's/YouTube

Adenoids

OpenStax College

Throat Culture

Throat Culture

Also called: Throat culture and sensitivity, Throat swab, Oropharyngeal swab, OP swab

A throat culture, also called throat swab, is a test that is done to identify the specific type of bacteria or other germs causing the infection in your throat, so that proper treatment can be initiated.

Throat Culture

Also called: Throat culture and sensitivity, Throat swab, Oropharyngeal swab, OP swab

A throat culture, also called throat swab, is a test that is done to identify the specific type of bacteria or other germs causing the infection in your throat, so that proper treatment can be initiated.

{"label":"Throat Culture Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"hideunits":true,"items":[{"flag":"negative","label":{"short":"Negative","long":"Negative","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"A negative result is normal. It means that no harmful bacteria or other germs were found in your throat secretions. ","conditions":[]},{"flag":"positive","label":{"short":"Positive","long":"Positive","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"A positive result indicates the presence of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria or other germs in your throat. ","conditions":["Bacterial throat infection","Sore throat"]}],"value":0.5}[{"negative":0},{"positive":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.
Your result is Negative.
A negative result is normal. It means that no harmful bacteria or other germs were found in your throat secretions.
Related conditions
Your doctor may want to order this test if you have signs and symptoms of throat infection, such as:
- Sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen, red tonsils
- Streaks of pus or white patches in your tonsils
- Fever
- Chills
- Appetite loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck stiffness
1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003746.htm [accessed on Mar 03, 2019]
2. https://www.labcorp.com/test-menu/36296/upper-respiratory-culture-routine [accessed on Mar 03, 2019]
3. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/general-peds/throat-culture.aspx [accessed on Mar 03, 2019]
4. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=beta_hemolytic_streptococcus_culture [accessed on Mar 03, 2019]
5. https://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/TestDetail.action?ntc=394 [accessed on Mar 03, 2019]

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."

Additional Materials (4)

How to perform a throat swab on a patient

Video by Medscape/YouTube

Completing a Throat Culture & Rapid Strep Test

Video by Jessica Le/YouTube

Is It Strep Throat or Just a Sore Throat?

Video by Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

Sensitive content

This media may include sensitive content

Strep Throat

Strep Throat, Test Positive A case of strep throat, culture positive. A strep throat infection causes a sore throat and is spread by person to person contact. Any age group can be affected but it is most common in children aged 5 to 15.

Image by James Heilman, MD/Wikimedia

0:44

How to perform a throat swab on a patient

Medscape/YouTube

5:07

Completing a Throat Culture & Rapid Strep Test

Jessica Le/YouTube

0:39

Is It Strep Throat or Just a Sore Throat?

Cleveland Clinic/YouTube

Sensitive content

This media may include sensitive content

Strep Throat

James Heilman, MD/Wikimedia

Treatment

nasal spray

Image by robin_24

nasal spray

A dramatic photo shot of nasal spray in action. A hand sprays a mist of nasal spray droplets on a black background.

Image by robin_24

What Are the Treatments for Enlarged Adenoids?

The treatment depends on what is causing the problem. If your child's symptoms are not too bad, he or she may not need treatment. Your child might get nasal spray to reduce the swelling, or antibiotics if the health care provider thinks that your child has a bacterial infection.

In some cases your child may need an adenoidectomy.

Source: MedlinePlus (NIH)

Additional Materials (2)

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Video by Covenant Health/YouTube

Nasal Spray (Spray Into Nostril)

Nasal Spray (Spray Into Nostril)

Image by BruceBlaus

3:04

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Covenant Health/YouTube

Nasal Spray (Spray Into Nostril)

BruceBlaus

Adenoidectomy

Tonsils & Adenoids

Image by Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\"

Tonsils & Adenoids

Tonsils & Adenoids

Image by Blausen.com staff (2014). \"Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014\"

What Is an Adenoidectomy and Why Might I My Child Need One?

An adenoidectomy is surgery to remove the adenoids. Your child might need it if

He or she has repeated infections of the adenoids. Sometimes the infections can also cause ear infections and fluid buildup in the middle ear.
Antibiotics can't get rid of a bacterial infection
The enlarged adenoids block the airways

If your child also has problems with his or her tonsils, he or she will probably have a tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) at the same time that the adenoids are removed.

After having the surgery, your child usually goes home the same day. He or she will probably have some throat pain, bad breath, and a runny nose. It can take several days to feel all better.

Source: MedlinePlus (NIH)

Additional Materials (3)

What to expect after your child has adenoid surgery at NCH

Video by NationwideChildrens/YouTube

Tonsils and Adenoids - What You Need To Know

Video by Rehealthify/YouTube

adenoid

Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx.

Image by Henry Vandyke Carter /Wikimedia

2:20

What to expect after your child has adenoid surgery at NCH

NationwideChildrens/YouTube

1:27

Tonsils and Adenoids - What You Need To Know

Rehealthify/YouTube

adenoid

Henry Vandyke Carter /Wikimedia

Related HealthJournals

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the tonsils usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of tonsillitis occur in children over the age of two. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for tonsillitis.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat (pharyngitis). Learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of strep throat, and how to treat it.

Sore Throat

Sore throat or pharyngitis has many causes, including allergies, smoking, strep throat, and mononucleosis. Find treatments options depending on the cause.

Throat Disorders

Throat problems are common and are usually caused by a viral infection. Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own. Learn more about problems that affect the throat.

Tonsils

Tonsils are clusters of lymphatic tissue (lymphoid nodules) just under the mucous membranes that line the nose, mouth, and throat (pharynx). Learn about the different types of tonsils and its function.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare form of adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that begins in glandular tissues. It most commonly arises in the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck.

Pharynx

The pharynx, commonly called the throat, is involved in both digestion and respiration. It receives food, water, and air from the mouth, and air from the nasal cavities. When food enters the pharynx, involuntary muscle contractions close off the air passageways. Learn about the anatomy of the pharynx and how it works.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. Muscles in your esophagus propel food downward. Learn more about the esophagus and how it works.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) consists of an aggregate of lymphoid follicles directly associated with the mucous membrane epithelia. MALT makes up dome-shaped structures found underlying the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, breast tissue, lungs, and eyes.

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Adenoids and Adenoidectomy

Your adenoids are high up in your throat. They trap germs coming into your mouth and nose. Learn about enlarged adenoids, a common problem in children, and the treatment which, in some cases, may require an adenoidectomy.

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