Tonsil

Tonsil, name for either of two small oval-shaped, fleshy bodies, situated on each side of the back of the throat (palatine tonsils). They act as filters of disease organisms. Similar lymphoid masses are the phalangeal tonsils (adenoids) between the back of the nose and throat, and the lingual tonsils, on the back of the tongue.

See also: Adenoids.