The purpose of this research was to study the growth of the nasopharynx and adenoid development. Lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained from 320 white Brazilian subjects between 4 and 16 years of age were used. All the participants were nose breathers and none of them had previously undergone adenoidectomy. Tracings were made from the radiographs and cephalometric measurements were performed. The results showed that adenoid sagital thickness is larger in the age group 4 - 5 years and decreases progressively. There is a slight increase in the age group 10 - 11 years, but afterwards the decrease continues. However, the nasopharyngeal free airway space does not decrease in the age group 10 - 11 years, despite the increasing thickness of the adenoid. This is attributable to the downward displacement of the hard palate, resulting in an increase of the free airway space due to growth. Although the nasopharynx follows a growth pattern similar to that of the rest of the body, adenoid tissue does not. Adenoidal development seems to differ from that of other lymphatic tissues, showing a peculiar pattern that can be revealed when hypertrophy due to infections and allergies is eliminated.
Nasopharynx; Adenoids; Radiography; Mouth breathing
