Tonsils
location
- Pharyngeal tonsil
- Tubal tonsils (x2)
- Palatine tonsils (x2) → these are the biggest ones which you see when you look for 'tonsils'
- lateral oropharynx
- Lingual tonsil
between palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches
histology
- fibrous capsule
- covering: stratified non-keratinised squamous epithelium
arterial supply
External carotid artery
branches:
- maxillary artery
- asc pharyngeal
- asc palatine
- tonsillar branch of facial artery
- lingual → dorsal lingual
Venous drainage
ext palatine vein → facial vein
⚠️ source of Post-tonsillectomy bleed
lymphatic drainage
jugulodigastric LN → deep cervical nodes
pathology
quinsy = peritonsillar abscess
- internal carotid artery at risk of injury during aspiration