Original: The human palatine tonsils and the nasopharyngeal tonsil are lymphoepithelial tissues located near the oropharynx and nasopharynx, although most commonly the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine tonsils (that can be seen in the back of the throat).
Simplified: Most commonly, the term "tonsils" refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat.