• Are nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue consisting primarily of B cells
• Encircles pharynx and includes the lingual tonsil, faucial tonsils, adenoids, and lymphoid tissue on the posterior pharyngeal wall

Hypertrophy features

Age of onset: usually >2 years of age   

CLINICAL FEATURES:

• Mouth breathing
• Foul smell from the mouth
• Snoring  
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Rarely -pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Otitis media

INVESTIGATIONS:

• X-ray nasopharynx lateral view
• Fiber optic Bronchoscope – diagnostic

MANAGEMENT:

Surgery

Indications for adenoidectomy:  

• Upper airway obstruction +/- sleep apnea
• Placement of the second set of myringotomy tubes  
• Chronic sinusitis  
• Chronic hypo nasality
• Chronic mouth breathing (causes misaligned jaws)