the pharynx reaches higher up behind than a line drawn
horizontally above the tip of the nose to the pharynx. It reaches forward
above the soft palate on its front surface. Its front surface is almost
directly on a vertical line with tonsil, above the soft palate. On its
upper part and on the side near the nose cavity is the opening of the
eustachian tube.
The name naso-pharynx means the junction of the nose and pharynx.
Sometimes the upper posterior wall of the pharynx, called the vault of the
pharynx, especially the part behind each eustachian tube, is filled almost
full with adenoids. These are overgrowths or thickenings of the glandular
tissue in the upper posterior wall of the pharynx (vault of the pharynx).
ADENOIDS. (Pharyngeal Tonsil, Lursehkas Tonsil, Adenoid Vegetation, Post-
nasal Growth.)--Adenoids are overgrowths or thickenings of the glandular
tissue in the vault (top) of the pharynx. They are on the upper posterior
wall of the pharynx, often filling the whole space, especially the part
behind the ear-tube--eustachian tube.
They are a soft pliable mass, well supplied with blood vessels, especially
in children. Some are firmer and these are the kind seen in adults. The
color varies from pale pink to dark red. The structure is similar to
enlarged tonsils.
[RESPIRATORY DISEASES 9]
[Illustration: Adenoids]
Symptoms.--Children breathe chiefly or wholly through the mouth. They are
apt to breathe noisily, especially when they eat and drink. They sleep
with their mouth open, breathe hard and snore. They have attacks of slight
suffocation sometimes, especially seen in young children. There may be
difficulty in nursing in infants; they sleep poorly, toss about in bed,
moan, talk, and night terrors are common. They may also sweat very much
during sleep. A constant hacking or barking cough is a common symptom and
this cough is often troublesome for some hours before going to bed.
Troubles with the larynx and pharynx are common and spasmodic laryngitis
appears to be often dependent upon adenoids. Bronchial asthma and sneezing
in paroxysms are sometimes connected with them. The chest becomes
deformed. The prolonged mouth-breathing imparts to adenoid patients a
characteristic look in the face. The lower jaw is dropped and the lips are
kept constantly apart. In many cases the upper lip is short, showing some
part of the upper teeth. The dropping of the jaw draws upon the soft parts
and tends to obliterate th
|