Which tonsils are found in the oropharynx
In order to begin to fully understand oropharyngeal cancer, it helps to understand the anatomy of the region.
The oropharynx is part of the throat along with the nasopharynx and hypopharynx and is located in the very back of the mouth. The nasopharynx is located above the oropharynx, while the hypopharynx is located below.
The oropharynx is made up of four different regions:. The tonsils, also called the palatine tonsils, are the walnut-shaped structures located on either side of the back of the throat in the oropharynx. They are made up of lymphoid tissue, which contains infection-fighting immune cells, and they tend to swell up when someone is sick.
The tonsils can cause problems such as recurrent infections e. Strep throat , snoring, or a sleeping disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, and often have to be removed. One of the most common surgeries in the U. In general, each tonsil on either side of the throat should be about the same size though some asymmetry can be normal.
The bottom portion of the ring at the base of tongue is called the lingual tonsils see below. As mentioned above, the palatine tonsils make up the sides of the ring, and the pharyngeal tonsils, also known as the adenoids, form the top of the ring, located near the roof of the nasopharynx.
The tongue is a thick, muscular organ that can be broken down into two main parts: the oral tongue and the base of tongue. These two parts are separated by a line of taste buds called the circumvallate papillae, with everything behind this line being part of the base of tongue and everything in front of it being part of the oral tongue.
The oral tongue is part of the oral cavity, and is visible when the mouth is open. It refers to the front two-thirds of the tongue. The oral tongue is capable of moving in multiple directions and also plays a critical role in articulation or speech. It also helps to manipulate food during chewing and to prepare the food to be moved to the oropharynx. The base of tongue is part of the oropharynx, and usually not visible when the mouth is open. The surface of this part of the tongue is lined with lymphoid tissue similar to the palatine tonsils, which are called the lingual tonsils.
Underneath the tonsil tissue lies the muscle that is responsible for the movement of the tongue base. The base of tongue is very important for swallowing and protecting the airway by preventing aspiration. The soft palate is the part of the roof of the mouth behind the hard palate.
The uvula is a muscular appendage that hangs from the middle of the soft palate. The soft palate is made up of many muscles which move as someone breathes, eats, and speaks. The nasopharynx is above and behind the soft palate.
When the soft palate moves up, or elevates, while eating or drinking, it closes the connection between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx, preventing food and liquids from going up into the nose.
This action also prevents air from escaping into the nasal cavities during speech, causing hypernasal speech. The lining of the soft palate is made up of a type of tissue called squamous epithelium, just like the rest of the throat and mouth. Under the squamous epithelium are minor salivary glands , nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics. All of these muscles, except the TVP, are controlled by branches of the tenth cranial vagus nerve.
The posterior pharyngeal wall refers to the back wall of the oropharynx. Just deep to the lining of the pharyngeal wall is a thin muscle known as the superior pharyngeal constrictor. This muscle is controlled by branches of the tenth cranial nerve vagus and aids in swallowing. The upper part of the bony spine is located deep to the posterior pharyngeal wall musculature. A little inspiration can go far.
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Let us know if you'd like us to cover more on a particular topic. Maybe there's an aspect of the cancer journey you want to read more about? Close Menu. The oropharynx is made up of four different regions: Tonsils Base of tongue Soft palate Posterior pharyngeal wall Tonsils The tonsils, also called the palatine tonsils, are the walnut-shaped structures located on either side of the back of the throat in the oropharynx.
Some additional structures that are related to the tonsils include: Anterior tonsil pillar This is the fold of tissue just in front of the tonsils. It is created by the palatoglossus muscle which extends from the soft palate down to the tongue. Posterior tonsil pillar This is the fold of tissue just behind the tonsils. It is created by the palatopharyngeus muscle which extends from the soft palate to the lateral wall of the pharynx. Glossotonsillar sulcus This is the bottom part of the tonsils where they blend into the lingual tonsil tissue on the back of the tongue.
It is basically the area between the tonsils and the base of tongue. It is formed by the anterior and posterior tonsillar pillars.
Base of Tongue The tongue is a thick, muscular organ that can be broken down into two main parts: the oral tongue and the base of tongue. Other anatomical structures related to the base of tongue include: Vallecula This is the bottom end of the base of tongue, where it meets the epiglottis. Lateral pharyngoepiglottic folds This is where the base of tongue transitions over to the side wall of the pharynx.
Soft Palate The soft palate is the part of the roof of the mouth behind the hard palate. The deep portion of the soft palate is made up of five different muscles: Tensor veli palatini TVP This muscle is responsible for elevating the soft palate in order to close off the connection between the nasopharynx and the oropharynx and for opening up the Eustachian tube, which helps ventilate the middle ear space. It is controlled by a branch of the fifth cranial nerve trigeminal nerve.
Levator veli palatini Musculus uvulae Palatoglossus anterior tonsil pillar Palatopharyngeus posterior tonsil pillar All of these muscles, except the TVP, are controlled by branches of the tenth cranial vagus nerve. Posterior Pharyngeal Wall The posterior pharyngeal wall refers to the back wall of the oropharynx.
Tonsils : Palatine tonsils can be seen on the left and right sides at the back of the throat. The tonsils primarily facilitate adaptive immune responses in the upper respiratory tract, one of the most common pathways for pathogen entry in the body. They contain specialized M cells that collect antigens produced by respiratory tract pathogens. The secondary lymphoid tissue within the tonsils functions like the same type of the tissue in lymph nodes. Captured antigens are presented to B and T cells within the tonsil, then the B cells migrate to germinal centers within the tonsil as an adaptive immune response is initiated.
Additionally, evidence exists that suggests that tonsils may play a role in T cell maturation and development like the thymus does, but more research is needed. Tonsil removal tonsillectomy is a common procedure to treat swollen and infected lymph nodes tonsillitis. It does not appear to cause weakened immune function. Chronic infection of the adenoids can cause adenoid hypertrophy, increases in cell size from repeated damage.
Enlarged tonsils can make it more difficult to breath and disrupt normal mucus drainage in the pharynx, so removal is generally recommended in those cases. Squamous cell carcinomas epithelial tumor and lymphomas lymphocyte tumor can also develop in the tonsillar tissue, and removal is a key treatment. Epidemiological studies show no significant change in immune system function in those that have a tonsillectomy, but minor increases in helper T cell levels and minor decreases in IgA levels an antibody produced by B cells were observed.
Learning Objectives Describe the role of tonsils in the immune system. Key Points The four sets of tonsils are the adenoids, palatine tonsils, tubal tonsils,and the lingual tonsils.
Tonsils consist of epithelial tissue with narrow folds called crypts, secondary lymphoid tissue that contains lymphocytes, and M cells that capture antigens in the respiratory tract. Tonsils tend to reach their largest size near puberty and gradually atrophy thereafter.
Tonsils can become enlarged or inflamed and may be surgically removed in tonsillectomy. Chronic inflammation of the tonsils can cause their cells to increase in size hypertrophy. Enlarged tonsils can make breathing more difficult and disrupt mucus drainage in the pharynx.
Those with a tonsillectomy show no significant long term difference in immune system function, though minor changes in immune cell and antibody levels do occur. Key Terms tonsillitis : Inflammation of the tonsils.
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