Either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces.

The human palatine tonsils and the nasopharyngeal tonsil are lymphoepithelial tissues located in strategic areas of the oropharynx and nasopharynx, although most commonly, the term tonsils refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.

The two organs situated in the throat on either side of the narrow passage from the mouth to the pharynx. They are composed of lymphoid tissues.