Where exactly are the palatine tonsils located?

In the mouth there are two palatal tonsils, one on the right and one on the left side. The palatine tonsil is therefore a paired organ. They are located between the front palatal arch (lat.

Arcus palatoglossus) and the rear palatal arch (lat. Arcus palatopharyngeus). The two palatal arches are raised by two muscle strands (M. palatoglossus and M. palatopharyngeus). The area they define is also called the tonsillary bay. The tonsils can be seen well when the mouth is open, even if they are not pathologically enlarged.

Function

The palatine tonsils serve as a secondary lymphatic organ to defend against pathogens. Via the lymph, the blood or its surface, the tonsils can come into contact with pathogens. The part of the pathogen to which the immune system reacts is called antigen.

The numerous immune cells found in the tonsils learn about the antigens in this way. The different immune cells react differently to antigen contact: The B-lymphocytes start to produce exactly the right antibodies. The T-lymphocytes stimulate and support the further immune response.

In addition, the cells in the tonsils proliferate particularly strongly, which can effectively combat the pathogens. Thus, the reaction of the immune system is initiated at the tonsils. Due to their close contact with the mucous membranes, palatine tonsils make it difficult for pathogens to spread along this structure.

Due to their position between mouth and throat, they are particularly useful for monitoring these two areas. The causes of palatine tonsilitis Inflammation of the palatine tonsils (tonsilitis, angina tonsiliaris) is caused by pathogens infesting the tonsilla palatina. In most cases, the pathogens are viruses (e.g.

adenovia), but bacteria (e.g. beta-hemolytic streptococci, pneumococci, haemophilus influenza) or fungi (e.g. candida albicans) can also trigger an inflammation. Most of these pathogens are also found in the mouth under physiological conditions.

If the immune system is weakened or if a form of the pathogen occurs against which there is no immunity yet, inflammation occurs. The inflammation can be limited to one side (unilateral tonsilitis) or affect both palatines (bilateral tonsilitis).The different forms of tonsillitis Tonsilitis can be divided into an acute and a chronic form. The acute form (Tonsilitis acuta) is mostly caused by viruses.

It occurs quickly and symptoms can develop within hours. The main symptom is severe pain in the throat, which increases when speaking and swallowing. The pain can radiate further into the head, neck and ears.

Since swallowing makes the symptoms worse, less food and drink is often eaten and drunk during the illness. Increased salivation, tightness and breathing difficulties can also occur. Tonsilitis acuta is often accompanied by a strong feeling of illness and increased body temperature.

During an inflammation, the palate needles are clearly swollen and reddened. They are often covered with whitish coatings (spots) consisting of pus and fibrin (a coagulation factor). The neck lymph nodes may also be swollen.

Tonsillitis is often accompanied by bad breath (foeter ex ore). Inflammatory parameters such as CRP and BSG are often elevated. Chronic tonsillitis is mostly caused by bacteria (especially beta-hemolytic streptococci).

This can also lead to the infestation of the tonsils by various types of bacteria (aerobic and anerobe bacteria). The chronic form of tonsillitis can develop from the acute form. This occurs especially when harmful bacteria remain in the crypts of the palatine tonsils and are not completely eliminated by the immune system.

The inflammations then occur again and again (recurrent) and are latently present. A chronic tonsillitis has significantly fewer symptoms than an acute one. Slight swallowing difficulties, recurring scratching and dryness in the throat and reddening of the throat indicate chronic tonsillitis.

Due to the constant inflammatory process, the palatal tonsils begin to scar and fissure. The lymph nodes in the neck area are often permanently swollen in chronic tonsillitis. Bad breath can also occur.

The inflammation parameters are often elevated even in chronic tonsillitis. If you discover these symptoms you should consult a doctor. This also serves to exclude differential diagnoses such as Pfeiffer’s glandular fever.

Risk of infection The risk of infection is very high in the case of tonsillitis. Already one or two days before you feel ill you can spread the pathogen. Only when the symptoms subside does the risk of infection decrease.

Recovery Recovery from tonsillitis is supported by rest and protection. In addition, patients should drink plenty of fluids despite the discomfort of swallowing. Antibiotics are prescribed for inflammations caused by bacteria or as a prophylaxis for further infections.

In the case of chronic or recurrent inflammation and severe disease progression (e.g. with abscess formation), the therapy consists of removal of the tonsils. Get information about the treatment of tonsillitisSwelling of the palatine tonsils is usually visible without any further aids when the mouth is open. The swelling of the tonsils usually has harmless causes and disappears after a while.

Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted to rule out serious diseases. This is especially true if other symptoms such as feeling ill, pain, swelling of the lymph nodes or coatings on the tonsils occur. A swelling (lat.

tumor) is one of the five classic signs of inflammation (redness (rubor), overheating (calor,) pain (dolor), functional impairment (functio laesa)). It therefore occurs in the case of inflammations of the most varied types. For example, in chronic or acute tonsillitis.

In addition, the palatine tonsils can be attacked by other pathogens if the disease is already present. This is called secondary or superinfection. By fighting the actual disease (primary infection), the immune system is so challenged that it can no longer effectively protect the mucous membranes of the throat, for example.

These are then colonized by pathogens that could hardly have harmed a healthy person (secondary infection). Through a secondary infection the tonsils can be attacked and swell up, this can be the case, for example, with a real flu (influenza). Another reason for a swelling of the tonsils can be an angina plaut-vincent.

This is a rare form of tonsillitis.It is caused by the simultaneous infection of the tonsils by two different species of bacteria (Treponema vincenti, Fusobacterium nucleatum). This disease causes an ulcer on the tonsils which is usually painless. In addition, the mucous membrane around the tonsils dies, forming so-called necroses.

The almond itself is covered with a grey to greenish coating. In addition, Pfeifferian glandular fever (mononucleosis) can lead to swollen almonds. This disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

It often manifests itself through a so-called monocyte angina, which causes severe sore throats. In contrast to the classic tonsillitis, the tonsils are covered by a grey, not white coating. This coating is usually strictly limited to the tonsils and does not spread to the surrounding tissue.

Diphteria can also lead to swelling of the tonsils. This disease, which is triggered by Cornybacterium diphtariae, becomes symptomatic by white to yellow coatings on the tonsils. These can quickly spread throughout the throat.

The childhood disease scarlet fever, which can also affect adults, also causes severe sore throats (scarlet angina). This infection can also lead to tonsillitis and thus to swollen tonsils. An abscess is an encapsulated collection of pus.

If an abscess forms near the palatal tonsils, it is called a peritonsiliary abscess. Such an accumulation of pus is usually found between the palatal tonsil and the muscles of the posterior pharynx (M. constrictor pharyngis superior, M. constrictor pharyngis medius, M. constrictor pharyngis inferior). Abscess formation is usually triggered by an infection with different pathogens at the same time.

Streptococci are particularly frequently involved here. A peritonsiliary abscess is often preceded by acute tonsillitis. But an abscess can also occur as a result of chronic tonsilitis or pharyngitis.

The inflammation of the tonsil or pharynx penetrates the tissue around the palatine tonsil capsule. Pus is formed there as a result of the infection. The symptoms are difficulties in swallowing and in opening the mouth (lockjaw).

This can lead to reduced food intake. In addition, increased saliva is produced (hypersalivation). Those affected complain of pain shooting into the ear (otalgia).

Severe sore throat, fever and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck accompany the disease. An abscess of the palatal tonsils should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. The accumulation of pus can be emptied through an incision. If this is not sufficient, the abscess is removed together with the palatine tonsils (abscess tonsillectomy). Antibiotics are also prescribed to fight the inflammation.