Tonsil

Tonsil
Sagittal view of tonsils and throat anatomy
Details
System	Immune system Lymphatic system
Identifiers
Latin	tonsilla, tonsillae (pl.)
TA98	A05.2.01.011
FMA	9609
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The tonsils are a set of lymphoid organs facing into the aerodigestive tract, which is known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring and consists of the adenoid tonsil (or pharyngeal tonsil), two tubal tonsils, two palatine tonsils, and the lingual tonsils. These organs play an important role in the immune system.

When used unqualified, the term most commonly refers specifically to the palatine tonsils, which are two lymphoid organs situated at either side of the back of the human throat. The palatine tonsils and the adenoid tonsil are organs consisting of lymphoepithelial tissue located near the oropharynx and nasopharynx (parts of the throat).