Palatine Glands

The palatine glands are in the back of the mouth, on both sides of the tongue and closely associated with the palate. These masses of lymphatic tissue are also called palatine tonsils, or sometimes just tonsils. These structures lie beneath the lining of the mouth and, like other lymphatic tissues, they help to protect the body against infections. These are common sites of infection; when they become inflamed, the condition is called tonsillitis.