Adenoid

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἀδενοειδής, from ἀδήν (adēn, "gland") and εἶδος (eidos, "form").

Full definition of adenoid

Adjective

1. (anatomy) Of or relating to lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue; lymphoid.

Noun

1. (anatomy) One of two folds of lymphatic tissue covered by ciliated epithelium. They are found in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx at the back of the throat behind the uvula. They may obstruct normal breathing and make speech difficult when swollen, a condition often called adenitis.

Synonyms

• pharyngeal tonsil
• Luschka's tonsil
• third tonsil
• tonsilla pharyngealis
• tonsilla adenoidea

Hypernyms

• tonsil

Coordinate terms

• palatine tonsil
• lingual tonsil

Derived terms

• adenoidal
• adenoidectomy