Structure of the crypt epithelium in human palatine tonsils

Material from human palatine tonsils from a group of 18 tonsillectomised patients aged 22 months to 8 years was studied by LM, TEM and SEM. Special attention was focused on the structure of the epithelium lining the tonsillar crypts. This is of a dynamic nature in the living organism. In contrast to the stratified squamous epithelium covering the oropharyngeal surface of the tonsil it was often reticulated and invaded by non-epithelial cells. However, it was not uniform throughout. When studied by LM and TEM, adjacent patches of epithelium varied in degree of reticularity. The reticulated epithelium was either covered by a thin layer of squamous cells, or this was disrupted in places where non-epithelial cells passed through. Hence the intact surface, as seen on the SEM, is not a reliable indication of the nature of the underlying structure of the epithelium. Small blood vessels were frequently observed in association with the reticulated epithelium. They formed numerous finger-like projections surrounded by a sleeve of subepithelial connective tissue, and also a fine capillary network within the epithelial thickness. It is proposed that such an organisation of the crypt epithelium offers favourable means for the capturing and processing of antigens by the palatine tonsils.