Adenoids are a patch of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nasal passage, just behind the nose
. They are part of the immune system and help trap germs that enter the body through the nose and mouth, fighting off infections until the body develops other ways to combat them
. Adenoids work by trapping germs coming in through the mouth and nose
. Like tonsils, adenoids help keep the body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that we breathe in or swallow
. Adenoids usually start to shrink after about age 5 and usually disappear by adulthood
. Enlarged adenoids can cause breathing problems, snoring, sleep apnea, and frequent ear infections
. In some cases, adenoids may need to be removed through surgery, called adenoidectomy, if the symptoms are severe or persistent
