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The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat.
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils.
As with other organs of the lymphatic system, the tonsils act as part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In particular, they are believed to be involved in helping fight off pharyngeal and respiratory tract infections.
Tonsillitis causes sore throat and fever. In chronic cases, or in acute cases where the tonsils become so swollen that swallowing is impaired, a tonsillectomy can be performed to remove the tonsils. Patients whose tonsils have been removed are still protected from infection by the rest of their immune system.
When bacteria that collect on the tonsils consume mucus that has pooled in pits in the tonsils a whitish-yellow deposit is produced. These deposits are known as tonsiloliths or "tonsil stones" and emit a very pungent odour due to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds.
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