The tonsils are somewhat oval shaped pink structures in the back of the throat on each side of the tongue. In many cases that a person has a sore throat, they will have infected tonsils. The tonsils are somewhat oval shaped pink structures in the back of the throat on each side of the tongue. They are composed of lymphoid tissue, meaning they are filled with tissue whose primary purpose is to fight infection. The actual amount of protection against infection provided for by the tonsils, however, is not clear.
Tonsillitis refers to an infection of the tonsils.
In many cases that a person has a sore throat, they will have infected tonsils. The tonsils can get infected as part of the whole throat getting infected from a virus such as occurs with the common cold. The tonsils can also get infected due to bacteria, such as Strep, being passed from one person to another. When a person chronically gets repeated tonsillitis, it is often because there is bacteria such as Strep chronically in the tonsils the throat that cause repeated infections. The tonsils will become enlarged possibly develop a whitish covering.