Health Library
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Thomson DrugNotes
- Wellness Tools
- In-Depth Reports
- Pregnancy Center
- Care Guides
- Spanish Surgery and Procedures
- Thomson DrugNotes Spanish
- Spanish Pregnancy Center
- Health Illustrated Encyclopedia
- Spanish Health Illustrated Encyclopedia
- Surgery and Procedures
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Adenoids
Adenoids are masses of tissue located high on the posterior wall of the pharynx. They are made up of lymphatic tissue, which trap and destroy pathogens in the air that enter the nasopharynx.

Review Date: 2008-12-01
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Keywords: ,located, air, made, wall, enter, posterior, destroy, lymphatic, pharynx, tissue, masses, trap, pathogens, nasopharynx, adenoids
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only--they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
