The peritonsillar space is a potential space surrounding the palatine tonsils within the pharyngeal mucosal space, a deep compartment of the head and neck.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries and/or relations
The peritonsillar space is located peripheral to the fibrous capsule of the palatine tonsil with the following boundaries 1-3:
- laterally: superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and buccopharyngeal fascia (part of the middle layer of the deep cervical fascia)
- anteriorly: palatoglossus muscle and anterior tonsillar pillar
- posteriorly: palatopharyngeus muscle and posterior tonsillar pillar
- superiorly: torus tubarius or level of hard palate
- inferiorly: pyriform sinus
Related pathology
- peritonsillar abscess
- peritonsillar cellulitis (peritonsillitis)
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