Case Summary
The patient’s younger sister had a similar illness last week. What does this suggest about the cause of his sore throat?
An infectious cause (likely contagious pharyngitis)
Deep crypts in the tonsils increase the risk of infection because they do this.
Trap pathogens and allow bacteria to persist
The oropharyngeal mucosa is lined by this type of epithelium.
Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Pain from tonsillitis may be felt in the ear because this cranial nerve also supplies the middle ear.
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
A congenital branchial cleft cyst in the neck can be mistaken for this type of recurrent condition.
Recurrent throat infections/sore throat
The absence of this common viral symptom makes bacterial pharyngitis more likely.
Cough (also rhinorrhea)
The palatine tonsils are part of this immune defense structure in the oropharynx.
Waldeyer’s ring
This layer beneath the mucosa contains blood vessels and lymphatics that contribute to swelling during infection.
The submucosa
Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy in tonsillitis is most commonly due to enlargement of these specific nodes.
Jugulodigastric (tonsillar) nodes
From which embryological structure do the palatine tonsils arise?
Endoderm of the 2nd pharyngeal pouch