Children and less often adults, may have difficulties with their tonsils and adenoids either with recurrent infections or difficulty breathing at night when they get too large.

The two tonsils (palatine tonsils) are located in the back wall of the throat on the left and right side on either side of the uvula (the tear drop shaped tissue that hangs down the middle of the throat). If you look in the mirror and have your child stick his/her tongue out you may be able to see the tonsils. The adenoids cannot be seen easily because they are located behind the nose (nasopharynx) or the upper part of the throat.