The tubal tonsil, also known as Gerlach tonsil, is one of the four main tonsil groups forming Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.
Tubal tonsil | |
---|---|
Details | |
System | Lymphatic system |
Identifiers | |
Latin | tonsilla tubaria |
TA98 | A05.3.01.016 |
TA2 | 5189 |
FMA | 54975 |
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata] |
Each tubal tonsil is located posterior to the opening of the Eustachian tube on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx.[1] It is one of the four main tonsil groups forming Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.[2] This ring also includes the palatine tonsils, the lingual tonsils, and the adenoid.[2]
The tubal tonsil may be affected by tonsillitis.[2] However, this usually affects only the palatine tonsils.[2]
The tubal tonsil may also be known as the Gerlach tonsil.[3] It is very close to the torus tubarius,[4] which is why this tonsil is sometimes also called the tonsil of (the) torus tubarius.[5] Equating the torus with its tonsil however might be seen as incorrect or imprecise.