Tonsillar fossa
Tonsillar Fossa
The Tonsillar Fossa (pronounced: tahn-sill-ar foh-sah) is a medical term referring to the depression in the wall of the pharynx where the palatine tonsil is located.
Etymology
The term "Tonsillar Fossa" is derived from the Latin words "tonsilla" meaning almond (referring to the shape of the tonsils) and "fossa" meaning ditch or trench (referring to the depression or hollow where the tonsil is located).
Anatomy
The Tonsillar Fossa is a part of the Oropharynx, which is the middle part of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity. It extends from the uvula to the level of the hyoid bone. The fossa is bounded by the Palatoglossal Arch anteriorly and the Palatopharyngeal Arch posteriorly. The Palatine Tonsil is located within this fossa.
Related Terms
- Palatine Tonsil: A pair of soft tissue masses located at the rear of the throat (pharynx). Each tonsil is composed of tissue similar to lymph nodes, covered by pink mucosa.
- Oropharynx: The part of the pharynx that lies between the soft palate and the hyoid bone.
- Palatoglossal Arch: A fold of tissue that extends from the side of the tongue to the soft palate and encloses the palatine tonsil.
- Palatopharyngeal Arch: A fold of tissue that extends from the side of the pharynx to the soft palate and encloses the palatine tonsil.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tonsillar fossa
- Wikipedia's article - Tonsillar fossa
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