Knowra Tonsil Tonsil A mass of lymphoid tissue that samples material entering the body and helps initiate immune responses. The palatine tonsils are paired organs on either side of the throat’s opening to the mouth.
Lymphoid tissue : Tissue rich in lymphocytes and other immune cells, organized to detect and respond to antigens. Tonsils are specialized masses of this immune tissue.
Tonsillar crypt : A deep epithelial fold in a tonsil that increases contact between its surface and material in the throat. Crypts bring inhaled or swallowed material close to tonsillar immune cells.
Tonsillitis : Inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by viral or bacterial infection. This common condition arises when tonsillar tissue becomes inflamed during infection.
Waldeyer's ring : A ring of lymphoid tissue around the entrance to the respiratory and digestive tracts. The palatine tonsils form its largest paired components.
Lymph node : An encapsulated immune organ that filters lymph and provides sites for immune-cell activation. Unlike lymph nodes, tonsils sample material from mucosal surfaces rather than filtering lymph.
Lymphocyte : A white blood cell, including B cells and T cells, that recognizes targets and coordinates or carries out immune responses. These immune cells populate tonsils and respond to antigens sampled there.
Germinal center : A temporary structure in lymphoid tissue where activated B cells proliferate and refine antibody responses. Tonsillar germinal centers support B-cell responses to encountered antigens.
Streptococcal pharyngitis : A throat infection caused by group A Streptococcus, often involving the tonsils. It can cause fever, sore throat, and tonsillar inflammation or exudate.
Pharyngeal tonsil : A mass of lymphoid tissue in the roof of the nasopharynx, commonly called the adenoid when enlarged. It is another tonsil in Waldeyer’s ring, positioned above the palatine pair.
Spleen : An organ that filters blood and supports immune responses to blood-borne antigens. The spleen monitors blood, while tonsils monitor material entering through the throat.
Show all 25