The lingual tonsils are a collection of lymphoid tissue located in the lamina propria of the root of the tongue.

[2] The immunocytes initiate the immune response when the lingual tonsils get in contact with invading microorganisms (pathogenic bacteria, viruses or parasites).

[2][3][4] Lingual tonsils are covered externally by stratified squamous epithelium (nonkeratinized) that invaginates inward forming tonsillar crypts.

Mucous glands located at the root of the tongue are drained through several ducts into the crypts of the lingual tonsils.

[6] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1138 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)