lingual tonsils
{{Short description|Lymphatic tissue in the tongue}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Lingual tonsils
| Latin = tonsilla lingualis
| Image = Illu04 tongue.jpg
| Caption = Tongue
| Image2 =
| Caption2 =
| System = Immune system (lymphatic system)
| Artery =
| Vein =
| Nerve =
| Lymph =
}}
The lingual tonsils are a collection of lymphoid tissue located in the lamina propria of the root of the tongue.{{Cite book|title=Clinically oriented anatomy|last=Moore, Keith L.|others=Dalley, Arthur F., II,, Agur, A. M. R.|isbn=978-1451119459|edition= Seventh|location=Philadelphia|oclc=813301028|date = 2013-02-13}} This lymphoid tissue consists of the nodules rich in cells of the immune system (immunocytes).{{Cite book|title=Junqueira's basic histology : text and atlas|last=Mescher, Anthony L.|others=Junqueira, Luiz Carlos Uchôa, 1920-|date=22 February 2013|isbn=9780071807203|edition= Thirteenth |location=New York|oclc=854567882}} The immunocytes initiate the immune response when the lingual tonsils get in contact with invading microorganisms (pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites).{{Cite book|title=Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology|last=Ross, Michael H.|date=2011|publisher=Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health|others=Pawlina, Wojciech.|isbn=9780781772006|edition= 6th|location=Philadelphia|oclc=548651322}}{{Cite book|title=Cellular and molecular immunology|last=Abbas, Abul K.|date=2012|publisher=Elsevier/Saunders|others=Lichtman, Andrew H., Pillai, Shiv.|isbn=9781437715286|edition= 7th|location=Philadelphia|oclc=698580696}}
Structure
=Microanatomy=
Lingual tonsils are covered externally by stratified squamous epithelium (nonkeratinized) that invaginates inward forming tonsillar crypts. Beneath the epithelium is a layer of lymphoid nodules containing lymphocytes. Mucous glands located at the root of the tongue are drained through several ducts into the crypts of the lingual tonsils. Secretions of these mucous glands keep the crypts clean and free of any debris.
=Blood supply=
Lingual tonsils are located on posterior aspect of tongue which is supplied through:
- Lingual artery, branch of external carotid artery
- Tonsillar artery
- Ascending and descending palatine arteries
- Ascending pharyngeal branch of external carotid artery
=Nerve supply=
Function
File:Blausen 0861 Tonsils&Throat Anatomy2.png
Like other lymphatic tissues, the function of lingual tonsils is to prevent infections. These tonsils contain B and T lymphocytes which get activated when harmful bacteria and viruses come in contact with tonsils. B lymphocytes kill pathogens by producing antibodies against them, while T lymphocytes directly kill them releasing cytotoxic substances or indirectly by stimulating other cells of the immune system.
Clinical significance
=Cancer=
Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of neoplasm that can affect lingual tonsils.{{Cite journal|last1=Theodoraki|first1=M-N.|last2=Veit|first2=J. A.|last3=Hoffmann|first3=T. K.|last4=Greve|first4=J.|date=2017-06-26|title=Synchronous bilateral tonsil carcinoma: case presentation and review of the literature|journal=Infectious Agents and Cancer|volume=12|pages=38|doi=10.1186/s13027-017-0146-5|issn=1750-9378|pmc=5485684|pmid=28670333 |doi-access=free }}
=Sleep apnea=
Enlarged or hypertrophic lingual tonsils have the potential to cause or exacerbate sleep apnea.{{Cite journal|last1=Badełek-izdebska|first1=Małgorzata|last2=Dębska|first2=Małgorzata|last3=Zawadzka-Głos|first3=Lidia|date=2015-12-23|journal=New Medicine|volume=19|issue=4|pages=130–132|doi=10.5604/14270994.1191789|issn=1427-0994|title=Lingual Tonsil Hypertrophy as a Cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome – Case Report|doi-access=free}}
Additional images
File:Slide1sss.JPG|Lingual tonsil
File:Slide7ttt.JPG|Lingual tonsil
File:Slide12uuu.JPG| Lingual tonsils
References
{{Gray's}}
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061206205431/http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/opfs/QL/23tn.html Pictures at usc.edu]{{link note|note=Registration required}}
- {{AnatomyAtlasesMicroscopic|09|163}}
- {{BUHistology|09802loa}}
- {{LoyolaMedEd|histo/HistoImages/hl6-27.jpg}} (labeled as 'lymphoid tissue')]
- [http://www.anatomic.us/atlas/lingual-tonsil/#sthash.NqffaOYP.dpuf Lingual Tonsil]
{{Mouth anatomy}}
{{Lymphatic organ anatomy}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
{{Authority control}}