[Palatine tonsils: physiology and pathology].

The article presents modern ideas about the etiology, pathogenesis, and features of the clinical picture of chronic tonsillar pathology. Specific attention is paid to the classification of chronic tonsillitis, in particular the classification of B.S. Preobrazhensky - V.T. Palchun. Data on modern methods for assessing the morphofunctional state of palatine tonsils, including immunohistochemical studies, are presented. Modern approaches to therapy are considered.