Question

What is the benefit of having tonsils at the oral entry to the pharynx?

Answer 1

Tonsils help capture germs that are commonly swallowed, which benefits our immune system. We have many defenses similar to tonsils, though. For example we have a film over the back of our tongue that captures germs and breaks them down with an acid similar to what's found in our saliva and tears.

Answer 2

There are three main divisions of the pharynx: the oral pharynx, the nasal pharynx, ... of the opening between the mouth cavity and the oral pharynx is a palatine tonsil, ... The epiglottis, a lidlike covering that protects the entrance to the larynx, ...