Structures related to bed of tonsil
The tonsil is separated from its bed by loose areolar tissue. The structures forming the bed of the tonsil are:
- Superior constrictor muscle
- Styloglossus muscle
The structures related to the bed of the tonsil are:
- styloid process (if enlarged)
- glossopharyngeal nerve
- facial artery
- submandibular salivary gland
- posterior belly of digastric
- medial pterygoid muscle
- angle of mandible
Clinical importance:
- The glossophayrngeal nerve and the enlarged styloid process can be approached through the tonsillar bed
- for glossopharyngeal neurectomy and removal of styloid process in eagles syndrome
