Tonsil and Adenoid Anatomy

The term tonsil refers to masses of lymphatic tissue found in the throat, or pharynx. There are four different types of tonsils: palatine, pharyngeal, lingual and tubal. Together these four tonsils make up what is called Waldyer's ring. They are each placed in different parts of the throat to ensure that no germs come into the body without being detected by a tonsil.

The tonsils that we typically think of are the palatine. These are located at the back of the throat on either side of the uvula and just behind the tongue. Each tonsil is composed of approximately 15 crypts, or pits, which help to increase surface area and trap germs.

The pharyngeal tonsil is commonly referred to as the adenoid. It hangs down in the back of the throat, directly behind the nose. Adenoids grow from birth, typically reaching their largest at ages 3-5, then begin shrinking at age 7-8 and disappear by adulthood.