The adenoid, also known as apharyngeal tonsil ornasopharyngeal tonsil, is

the superior-most of the tonsils. It is a mass of lymphatic tissuesituated posterior to

the nasal cavity, in the roof of the nasopharynx, where the nose blends into
the throat. Normally, in children, it forms a soft mound in the roof and posterior wall
of thenasopharynx, just above and behind the uvula.
Structure
The adenoid, unlike the palatine tonsils, haspseudostratified epithelium[1] The
adenoid is often removed along with the palatine tonsils.
Development
Adenoids develop from a subepithelial infiltration of lymphocytes after the 16th
week of embryonic life. They are part of the so-called Waldeyer ring of lymphoid
tissue which includes the palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsil.
After birth, enlargement begins and continues until aged 5 to 7 years. Symptomatic
enlargement between 18 to 24 months of age is not uncommon, meaning that
snoring, nasal airway obstruction and obstructed breathing may occur during sleep.
However, this may be reasonably expected to decline when children reach school
age, and progressive shrinkage may be expected thereafter.
The establishment of the upper respiratory tract is initiated at birth. Species of
bacteria such as lactobacilli, anaerobic streptococci, actinomycosis, Fusobacterium
species, and Nocardia are normally present by 6 months of age. Normal flora found
in the adenoid consists of alpha-hemolytic streptococci and enterococci,
Corynebacterium species, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Neisseria species,
Haemophilus species, Micrococcus species, and Stomatococcus species.
Nature intends that we should breathe through the nose and has so arranged
matters that the air is strained, warmed, and moistened as it passes through the
nose. This is very important.
Unfortunately about 10 per cent of all children have adenoids which interfere with
free breathing through the nose. So many serious results follow this condition that
parents should learn something about adenoids and their treatment.