The tubal tonsil, also known as Gerlach tonsil, is one of the four main tonsil groups forming Waldeyer's tonsillar ring.

Structure

Each tubal tonsil is located posterior to the opening of the

Eustachian tube The Eustachian tube (), also called the auditory tube or pharyngotympanic tube, is a tube that links the nasopharynx to the middle ear, of which it is also a part. In adult humans, the Eustachian tube is approximately long and in diameter. It ...

on the lateral wall of the

nasopharynx The pharynx (: pharynges) is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and trachea (the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs respectively). It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates, though its ...

. It is one of the four main tonsil groups forming Waldeyer's tonsillar ring. This ring also includes the

palatine tonsil Palatine tonsils, commonly called the tonsils and occasionally called the faucial tonsils, are tonsils located on the left and right sides at the back of the throat in humans and other mammals, which can often be seen as flesh-colored, pinkish ...

s, the lingual tonsils, and the

adenoid In anatomy, the pharyngeal tonsil, also known as the nasopharyngeal tonsil or adenoid, is the superior-most of the tonsils. It is a mass of lymphoid tissue located behind the nasal cavity, in the roof and the posterior wall of the nasopharyn ...

Clinical significance

The tubal tonsil may be affected by

tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat. It can be acute or chronic. Acute tonsillitis typically has a rapid onset. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and en ...

. However, this usually affects only the palatine tonsils.

History

The tubal tonsil may also be known as the Gerlach tonsil. It is very close to the

torus tubarius The torus tubarius (or torus of the auditory tube) is an elevation of the mucous membrane of the Pharynx#Nasopharynx, nasal part of the pharynx formed by the underlying base of the Eustachian tube, cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube, Eu ...

, which is why this tonsil is sometimes also called the ''tonsil of (the) torus tubarius''.English Arabic Dictionary of Medical terms,"tonsil of torus tubarius = tubal tonsi

Almaany.com,2010-2014. Equating the torus with its tonsil however might be seen as incorrect or imprecise.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tubal Tonsil Lymphatics of the head and neck Tonsil