Tubal tonsil (human)

Stain: Azan. The tubal tonsil consists of a collection of lymphoid nodules near the auditory tube opening and forms part of the Waldeyers ring of defense in the nasopharyngeal cavity. This tonsil has fewer crypts (1), and the surface is covered by one to more layered ciliated epithelium (2). The lamina propria is completely filled with lymphocytes (3) and secondary follicles (4). Below the connective tissue layer (5) that is derived from the cartilage tube (8) mixed seromucous glands (6) are found with draining ducts (7) towards the crypts and lumen of the auditory tube. The presence of cartilage (8) points to the pharyngeal localization (cartilago tubae auditivae).