The Tonsils (Waldeyer's Ring) - Lingual - Pharyngeal - Palatine - Tubal tonsil

The Tonsils (Waldeyer’s Ring)

The tonsils are collections of lymphatic tissue located within the pharynx. They collectively form
a ringed arrangement, known as Waldeyer’s ring:
 Pharyngeal tonsil
 Tubal tonsils (x2)
 Palatine tonsils (x2)
 Lingual tonsil
The tonsils are classified as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and therefore contain T
cells, B cells and macrophages. They have an important role in fighting infection – the first line
of defence against pathogens entering through the nasopharynx or oropharynx.




Lingual Tonsil
The lingual tonsil refers to numerous lymphoid nodules located within the submucosa of the
posterior third of the tongue.
This tonsil is responsible for the irregular appearance of the posterior tongue surface. and forms
the inferior part of Waldeyer’s ring.
Like the rest of the tongue, the lingual tonsil is covered by a stratified non-keratinised squamous
epithelium.
Blood Supply and Innervation
The arterial supply to the lingual tonsil is largely via the lingual artery, with contributions from
the tonsillar branch of the facial artery and the ascending pharyngeal artery.
The dorsal lingual branch of the lingual vein performs the venous drainage.
Innervation is from the glossopharyngeal nerve.