â¬ Results of Cervical Cytology The 2001 Bethesda System: Terminology for Reporting Correction Contact me if this article is corrected. CitationsContact me when this article is cited. This article has been cited 529 times.the same issueRelated Articles published inJAMA. 2002;287(16):2153.
U.S. National Library of Medicine(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Palatine Tonsil. A round-to-oval mass of lymphoid tissue embedded in the lateral wall of the PHARYNX. There is one on each side of the oropharynx in the fauces between the anterior and posterior pillars of the SOFT PALATE.
The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system and help to filter the circulating lymph of bacteria and any other foreign material that may enter the body, especially through the mouth and nose. In the process of fighting infection the palatine tonsils and the adenoids sometimes become enlarged and inflamed (see tonsillitis).