Images Dated 7th September 2004

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis. Artwork of the open mouth and throat of a patient with inflamed tonsils. They are flecked with infected yellow patches, due to tonsillitis, an infection usually caused by streptococci bacteria. Tonsils are oval-shaped masses of spongy lymphoid tissue on either side of the back of the mouth. They help the body respond to infection, producing antibodies for the immune system and trapping and destroying micro-organisms that enter the throat. Tonsillitis causes a sore throat, fever and difficulty with swallowing. Treatment involves a course of antibiotic drugs. If it is recurrent and severe, then the tonsils may need to be surgically removed (tonsillectomy)

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Nose, mouth and throat

Nose, mouth and throat. Cutaway artwork of the anatomy of the nose, mouth and throat. The large nasal cavity (upper centre) is lined with nerves (yellow) branching from the olfactory bulb (above) that leads back to the brain. At the back of the nasal cavity, and also at left of the eye, are two of the facial sinuses (spaces in the bone). In the mouth, teeth are seen embedded in the jaw bones. The roof of the mouth is both bone and soft tissue (the soft palate). When closed, most of the mouth is filled with the tongue. The nose and mouth lead into the pharynx, which splits into the oesophagus (rear) and trachea (front). The top of the trachea is the larynx (voicebox, hole at lower right)

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Brain nausea reflex

Brain nausea reflex. Artwork of the location in the brain of the area responsible for the various nausea reflexes, and some of the causes. Part of the base of the brain (seen from the side, front of the brain at left) is seen at centre. Several coloured areas are seen in the brainstem, an area of the brain responsible for basic reflexes like breathing. Nausea can be triggered by (clockwise from upper right): smell (olfactory nerves shown), sight, pregnancy, bad food (sectioned stomach and duodenum shown), a brain tumour, or dizziness (the semicircular canals of the ear that give a sense of balance, are shown). The reflex, if triggered, provokes vomiting and emptying of the stomach

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY