Once almost a rite of childhood, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) is now rarely performed. Similarly, while ruptured spleens were once routinely removed, they are now conserved whenever possible. Why should these lymphoid organs be preserved when possible?

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Here's our next question. It says in recent years, there has been a decrease in the number of tonsillectomies and routine removal of ruptured spleens. What is the primary reason for preserving these lymphoid organs? A? They support the body's oxygen transport. B, they support the body's immune system and fight off infections. C they maintain body temperature regulation or d they assist in the production of hormones like lyn insulin. Well, when we talk about tonsils and the spleen, they're both part of the lymphatic symptom symp system, excuse me, lymphatic system. And so they are important in fighting off infections and the body's immune response. In particular when they both served, helping to generate immune cells and as part of a general immune response. But in particular, the tonsils protect against pathogens that come in via the nose and throat due to their location there. And the spleen has a special role in the immune response against encapsulated bacteria. And in fact, people who have had a splenectomy are much more vulnerable to infection by encapsulated bacteria. So that's why more often uh doctors try to avoid these days even though removing a, even a ruptured spleen or just doing routine tonsil toy, especially in childhood. So choice B they support the body's immune system and fight off infections is going to be our answer. When we look at our other answer, choices, choice. A support the body's oxygen transport. That would be the circulatory system, the heart pumping the blood and the red blood cells carrying oxygen. So not the correct answer. Then choice C they maintain body temperature regulation that's maintained by the hypothalamus, not the tonsils or spleen. So not the correct answer. And finally, choice d they assist in the production of hormones like insulin. Well, those would be the components of the endocrine system and again, tonsils and spleen part of the lymphatic symptom system. So once again, the decrease in the number of tonsillectomies and routine routine removal of spleens is choice B they support the body's immune system and fight off infections. So the thought is now to preserve those lymphoid organs if possible. See you in the next video.