Most commonly , the term `` tonsils '' refers to the palatine tonsils that can be seen in the back of the throat . The human palatine tonsils and the nasopharyngeal tonsil are lymphoepithelial tissues located near the oropharynx and nasopharynx , although most commonly the term `` tonsils '' refers to the palatine tonsils ( that can be seen in the back of the throat ) .