Lingual tonsils
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Singh K, Smith D, MacManus D, et al. Lingual tonsils. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-54352
rID:
54352
Article created:
8 Jul 2017,
Karan Singh
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Karan Singh had no recorded disclosures.
View Karan Singh's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Derek Smith had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Derek Smith's current disclosures
Revisions:
12 times, by
12 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Lingual tonsil
The lingual tonsils are aggregations of lymphoid follicles that mediate B- and T-cell lymphocytes, which serve a role in formulating the immune system. They are covered by stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium and contain deep crypts and mucosal glands. They form a part of the Waldeyer ring of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the oropharynx. Diseases arising here (e.g. tumours) are classified as oropharyngeal lesions for staging, rather than oral cavity for the anterior tongue.
On this page:
Location
posterior third of the dorsum of the tongue
Blood supply
lingual artery: a branch of the external carotid artery
tonsillar branch of the facial artery
ascending pharyngeal branch of the external carotid artery
Innervation
tonsillar branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Related Pathology
-
squamous cell carcinoma of the lingual tonsil
obstructive sleep apnoea exacerbation
References
- 1. Bluestone. Pediatric Otolaryngology. ISBN: 9781607950189
Incoming Links
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