palatine tonsil (faucial tonsil, tonsilla)

Introduction

A collection of lymphoid tissue on each side of the oropharynx in the interval between the palatine arches.

• tonsil does not fill the tonsillar cleft (intratonsillar cleft) between the palatoglossal & palatopharyngeal arches in adults
• tonsils lie in the tonsillar beds

Function

Provides defense against bacterial invasion

More general terms

• organ

More specific terms

• semilunar fold
• triangular fold

Component of

• lymphatic system
• oropharynx (velum)