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The lingual tonsils are aggregations of lymphatic tissue located at the base of the tongue. They are part of Waldeyer's tonsillar ring, which also includes the palatine tonsils and adenoids. Unlike other tonsils, the lingual tonsils have pits that are usually well-drained by mucous glands, making them rarely subject to infection.12

Tonsils, in general, are small masses of lymphatic tissue in the pharynx that help prevent infection by producing antibodies. However, they can also become infected, leading to conditions like tonsillitis.1

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