Cartilage tissue in palatine tonsils (Heterotopia vs. metaplasia)

Abstract

Non-lymphoid tissues may be encountered in routinely removed tonsils due to infectious or obstructive reasons. Several findings suggest that cartilage is an inherent tissue heterotopia rather than being a metaplastic secondary process to some previous stimuli. We present a cartilaginous heterotopia in this region in a 13-year-old girl supporting the heterotopia concept.