Scheme of palatine and pharyngeal tonsils ('lymphoepithelial tissues') (human)

The palatine tonsils are covered by the multilayered, non-keratinizing squamous epithelium of the oral cavity (A-1). In contrast to the palatine and lingual tonsils, the epipharyngeal tonsil has a multilayered ciliated epithelium (respiratory-like epithelium, B-9). The Waldeyer's tonsillar ring is a ring of lymphoid tissue located around the nasopharynx and oropharynx. It comprises the (naso)pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids, the tubal tonsils, the palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsils. A palatine tonsil; B pharyngeal tonsil 1. non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium; 2. deep, branched invaginations of epithelial lining (so-called crypts); 3. lymphatic nodule; 4. area of lymphocytic diapedesis; 5. thick connective tissue capsule; 6. connective tissue septa derived from the capsule; 7. palatoglossal muscle; 8. palatopharyngeal muscle; 9. pseudostratified ciliated epithelium; 10. furrows; 11. lymphatic tissue; 12. connective tissue fold; 13. constrictor pharyngis superior muscle; 14. seromucous glands (pars nasalis pharyngis)