What Are the Different Types of Tongue Disorders?

The tongue is one of the important organs that constitutes the oral cavity, and it is also the most prone to lesions in the oral mucosa. Common lesions include: map tongue, groove tongue, hairy tongue, middle tongue, hypertrophy of tongue tonsil, and atrophic glossitis. These manifestations are the appearance of the naked eye when the tongue undergoes pathological changes.

Basic Information

English name

Tongue Diseases

Visiting department

Stomatology

Common locations

tongue

Common causes

The cause of the tongue and groove tongue is unknown. The gross tongue is caused by changes in the oral environment. The rhombic tongue is caused by Candida albicans infection.

Causes of tongue disease

Map tongue

The etiology is unknown, it may be related to genetic factors, immune factors, psychopsychological factors, but also endocrine factors (menstrual disorders, pregnancy), nutritional factors (indigestion, vitamin B deficiency, zinc deficiency in children), local oral factors (deciduous teeth, Caries) and so on.

Grooved tongue

The etiology is unknown and may be related to congenital malformation of the tongue. In addition, vitamin deficiency and geographical conditions have also attracted attention. In recent years, it is believed that this disease may be an early manifestation of psoriasis. Some patients have a clear family history and are considered to be genetically related.

3. gross tongue

Frequently, changes in the oral environment, such as poor oral hygiene, long-term use of antibiotics, the use of gargles, and excessive smoking, affect the function of proteases and delay the shedding of keratinized epithelial cells on the filamentous nipples.

4. The middle diamond tongue

In the past, it was thought that during the development of the tongue body, due to some factors, the nodules could not be fully covered by the bulging process of the tongue on both sides, and the rhombic area was formed in front of the blind hole. It was later found that the detection rate of Candida albicans in this area was high, and the histopathological manifestations were very similar to chronic proliferative candidiasis, so it was thought that the site was caused by Candida albicans infection. Secondary infections such as diabetes can also be caused, but the scope is broader.

5. Tongue tonsil hypertrophy

May be related to upper respiratory infections or bad denture irritation.

6. Atrophic glossitis

May be related to anemia (low pigmented small cell anemia caused by iron deficiency, positive pigmented large cell anemia caused by vitamin B12, vitamin B6, or folic acid deficiency, aplastic anemia caused by hematopoietic tissue suppression, hemorrhagic anemia, etc.), smoke Acid deficiency, Sjogren's syndrome, Candida infection.

Clinical manifestations of tongue disease

Map tongue

A strip of filiform nipple appears on the back of the tongue (filamentous nipple atrophy, reddening of mucous membranes, and exfoliative erythema with smooth surface), with yellow and white raised edges around it. It is highly migratory and generally has no conscious symptoms. Diagnosis Not difficult.

Grooved tongue

The signs of this disease are obvious, manifested by a long or short central deep groove on the back of the tongue and a number of irregular auxiliary grooves, that is, with different shapes, different arrangements, different depths and lengths, and different numbers of grooves or cracks on the back of the tongue. feature. Easy diagnosis. If the grooved tongue is combined with facial nerve paralysis and granulomatous cheilitis, May-Raw syndrome is diagnosed.

3. gross tongue

More common in adults after the age of 30, the gender difference is not large. Occurs in the middle of the back of the tongue, and the filamentous nipples proliferate and become hair-like. Too long filamentous nipples can stimulate the soft palate and cause reflex nausea. The patient had bad breath and no other discomfort.

4. The middle diamond tongue

The lesion was located in front of the contoured nipple, with the back of the tongue in the middle and posterior condyle. It is generally a rhombus with a long axis in the front and back, or an oval with an approximate rhombus shape, which is red in color and lacks the tongue papilla.

5. Tongue tonsil hypertrophy

Symmetrical nodular bulges on the lateral edges of the base of the tongue, dark red or pale red. Large tongue tonsil nodules can gather in several, and there is irritation and pain.

6. Atrophic glossitis

The back of the tongue has filamentous and fungal nipple atrophy, sometimes accompanied by non-specific symptoms such as dry mouth and burning sensation. The back of the tongue is smooth and red or pale and no tongue coating. Some patients experience abnormal taste or loss of taste.

Tongue examination

Oral examination. Fungal examination can help understand the cause of hairy tongue and take treatment measures.

Diagnosis of tongue disease

It is not difficult to make a diagnosis based on the characteristics of the lesion. When the map tongue and lichen planus are difficult to distinguish, the mucosa of the map tongue is mixed with red and white, which is a characteristic, and there are mostly white lines around the mucosa of lichen planus. The smooth atrophy of the map tongue is similar to that of the lichen planus of the lichen planus, so a pathological examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Tongue disease treatment

Map tongue

There is no special treatment for this disease. Find out the cause as much as possible and treat it symptomatically. If there is irritating pain, you can locally irradiate ultraviolet rays and take B vitamins.

Grooved tongue

No symptoms can be left untreated. It is important to keep your mouth clean. Rinse your mouth with water after a meal to remove food debris and bacteria from the grooves. When there is inflammation, it can be washed with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, orally administered with B vitamins, and if necessary, it can be irradiated with oral ultraviolet light. As for the deep groove often painful patients can consider suture after removal.

3. gross tongue

Strengthen oral hygiene, stop or switch to topical drugs, quit smoking, and topically apply nystatin solution or 5% salicylic acid solution.

4. The middle diamond tongue

Asymptomatic patients generally do not require treatment. Local discomfort can be applied topically with nystatin solution. Anyone who suspects a new creature should carefully check the local changes and explain them well, and perform biopsy if necessary.

5. Tongue tonsil hypertrophy

Asymptomatic patients generally do not require treatment. Patients with secondary infections can use antibiotics, gargles with anti-inflammatory effects, and Chinese medicine powder. Suspected cancer should be biopsied in time to make a clear diagnosis. Those who have the habit of tongue extension should be removed.

6. Atrophic glossitis

Symptomatic treatment: Stop smoking, drinking, and avoid taking medicines that cause dry mouth; try to gargle with topical antibacterial drugs containing mouthwash, and maintain oral hygiene. For the cause of treatment: according to different types of anemia, the corresponding treatment.