THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



527 



INFLAMMATION. (Pharyngitis.) 



Catarrhal Pharyngitis is usually associated with the same forms of 

 inflammation in the mouth and has similar characters. 



In catarrhal inflammation involving the tonsils and those portions of 

 the pharynx richly supplied with the so-called submucous adenoid 

 lymphoid tissue, leucocytes may in considerable numbers pass through 

 the thin epithelial layer and mingle with the exudate upon the exposed 

 surface. 



In chronic inflammation of the pharynx there may be a large and 

 permanent hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue, with more or less dense 



FIG. 304. SECTION OF THE WALL OF A BRANCHIAL CYST OF THE NECK. 



This cyst, like that shown in Fig. 303, has much lymphoid tissue in the wall, but nodular in character ; 

 while the epithethial lining is squamous in type. 



fibrous tissue, leading to diffuse or circumscribed nodular or peduncu- 

 lated masses of vascular new tissue in the vault or elsewhere in the 

 pharynx, called "adenoids." ' 



Phlegmonous Pharyngitis may occur with inflammations of the mucous 

 membrane, with caries of the cervical vertebrae, with inflammation of 

 the cervical and parotid glands, with periostitis of the cranial bones, or 

 it may occur independently. It may result in swelling and oedema, in 

 induration, or in suppuration. It is most important when it affects the 

 posterior wall of the pharynx and forms retro-pharyngeal abscesses. 

 Such abscesses may cause death by suffocation. 



Diphtheritic Pharyngitis is that form of pseudo- membranous or croup- 

 ous inflammation of which the Bacillus diphtheria is the excitant. The 

 general characters of the diphtheritic infection have been considered in 

 an earlier part of this book. The local process often affecting the fauces, 



1 For a study of the uvula in various abnormal conditions see Hoen, Jour. Exp. 

 Med., vol. iii., p. 549, 1898. 



