Adenoids

A mass of glandular tissue at the back of the nasal passage above the tonsils. The adenoids are made up of lymph nodes, which form part of the body’s defences against upper respiratory tract infections; they tend to enlarge during early childhood, a time when such infections are common. In most children, adenoids shrink after the age of about 5 years, disappearing altogether by puberty. In some children, however, they enlarge, obstructing breathing and blocking the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat. This results in recurrent infections and deafness. Infections usually respond to antibiotic drugs, but if they recur frequently, adenoidectomy may be recommended.