The tonsils and adenoids are made of lymph tissue in the throat. They
help make substances (antibodies) that help the body fight infection. The
tonsils can be seen on either side of the throat at the back of the mouth. The
adenoids are higher in the throat and usually cannot be seen.
uvula is the small, finger-shaped piece of tissue that hangs down from the soft
palate in the back of the throat. It can usually be seen when a person opens
his or her mouth wide.
Primary Medical Reviewer
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Current as of
December 6, 2012
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
December 06, 2012
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