[Morphofunctional organization of the palatine tonsils as a lymphoepithelial organ]

The paper considers compartment structure of the tonsils reflecting cooperative interactions of the cells in immune response. A special emphasis is laid on the lymphoepithelial relations at the level of criptal epithelium the area of which serves as an immunoregulatory compartment of the palatine tonsils. Similarity of the regions of lymphoepithelial symbiosis in the zone of the criptal epithelium and lymphoepithelial pattern in the thymus is discussed as well as the role of the palatine tonsils as a secondary organ of immunogenesis in the general hierarchy of the immune system.