Palatine tonsil

Looks like

An almond-sized pad of lymph tissue on each side at the back of the mouth, set between two arches of the soft palate.

What it does

Samples germs coming in through the mouth and throat and trains immune cells to answer them, mostly in childhood.

Keeping it well

Tonsillitis is common and usually viral. One-sided swelling pushing the uvula aside, a muffled voice and trouble opening the mouth suggest an abscess — same day.

Related conditions

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Diphtheria
• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Lichen planus
• Mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis)
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Scarlet fever
• Stevens–Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Tonsillitis & quinsy