What is the purpose of Tonsills (sp)?

1. 68

   Lady Guinevereposted 13 years ago

   What is the purpose of Tonsills (sp)?
   
   Many children have them removed because of disease and health conditions.

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2. 49

   ghomefitnessposted 13 years ago

   From what I understand they are are kind of blockers that help prevent throat and upper respiratory infections. If they keep getting sore and swollen they try antibiotics first then remove them. Years ago when my teenagers were little the doctor said they were basically useless and took them out. When my six year old had a infection they said they do have a function and try to keep them at all cost. I am not a doctor these are interpretations of what I remember.

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3. 67

   olgakhumloposted 13 years ago

   The Tonsil is an accumulation of lymphoid tissue at the root of the tongue and at the surrounding of the Pharynx .It's sebretion washes away microorganisms.They supply lymphocytes (soldier cells) to the blood and lymph stream. They serve as a great defence against bacterial infections and other functions of the Reticulo Endothelial system that act as a defensive mechanism engulfing foreign bodies bacteria and parasites.

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4. 0

   prayersposted 13 years ago

   They fight infections as does the spleen and liver.

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5. 65

   Money Glitchposted 13 years ago

   Hi Lady G.
   If you are prone to getting tonsillitis and sore throats like I did as a child; one might think that the tonsils serves no purpose other than to make you sick or cause you pain.   However, tonsils are secondary lymph nodes or glands that help the body to capture and get rid of toxins.  Your tonsils and adenoids are located strategically near the entrance of the breathing passages where they catch incoming infections.   It is thought that they become infected through “sampling” bacteria and viruses and then in turn help to create antibodies against those germs and assist in building up the body’s immune system to resist and fight off future infections.
   If you are a baby boomer then chances are you know many people that had their tonsils removed as children and got to eat plenty of ice cream.  In the 60’s to 80’s most doctors viewed tonsils as just two masses of tissue that caused havoc and gave children numerous fevers and sore throats.   While numerous tonsillectomies are still being done today, many doctors will remove them only when absolutely necessary.  These doctors are the ones that now believe that removing your tonsils eliminates part of the body’s ability to support and rebuild its immune system.   The tonsils are said to be the “meeting hall” were the soldiers of the immune system go to get the armor (T-cells and B-cells) to fight the latest attack on the body by bacteria and viruses.  Hope this helps!

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6. 61

   porcupine73posted 13 years ago

   Every body part has a purpose. So in my opinion they shouldn't be removed without reason. If a person is having problems with their tonsils for example maybe there is an underlying issue such as a weak immune system.  As another example, in my opinion people who have liposuction are having part of their body removed as well.  There seems to be evidence that body fat cells secrete various hormones and other body process regulators that will then be absent if you suck out these cells.

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