The tubal tonsils are small collections of lymphoid tissue around the openings of the auditory (Eustachian) tubes in the side walls of the nasopharynx. They lie just behind the tubal elevation (torus tubarius) and are continuous with the pharyngeal tonsil.
| Location | Lateral wall of the nasopharynx, around the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube, behind the torus tubarius |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Pharyngeal plexus; Maxillary nerve (pharyngeal branch) |
| Blood Supply | Ascending pharyngeal artery; Pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery |
| Lymphatic drainage |
Provides local immune surveillance at the entrance to the auditory tube and middle ear.
Swelling of the tubal tonsils during upper respiratory infections can block the auditory tube, leading to a blocked feeling in the ear, middle ear effusion and ear infection, especially in children. They are less often enlarged in isolation than the adenoids and are not usually removed separately.
Impaired ventilation of the middle ear when the tubal opening is obstructed by swollen lymphoid tissue, causing pressure, muffled hearing and effusion.
Middle ear infection that can follow spread of infection from the nasopharynx along the auditory tube.
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