Tongue disease

Tongue diseases can be congenital or acquired, and are multiple in number. Considered according to a surgical sieve, some example conditions which can involve the tongue are discussed below. Glossitis is a general term for tongue inflammation, which can have various etiologies, e.g. infection. Examples of congenital disorders which affect the tongue include: Aglossia - complete absence of the tongue at birth Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) - where the lingual frenum tethers the tongue to the floor of the mouth. If it interferes with oral hygiene and feeding, frenectomy may be indicated. Hypoglossia - congenitally short tongue Microglossia Macroglossia - an abnormally large tongue, seen in some disorders such as Down syndrome (although macroglossia can be an acquired condition as well). Hamartomata - for example Leiomyomatous hamartoma Glossoptosis Choristomata - For example, osseous choristoma of the tongue, a very rare condition characterized by a nodule on the dorsum of the tongue containing mature lamellar bone without osteoblastic or osteoclastic activity. Cartilaginous (chondroid), and glial choristomas may also very rarely occur on the tongue. Lingual thyroid Cleft tongue (bifid tongue) - completely cleft tongue is a rare condition caused by a failure of the lateral lingual swellings to merge. More common is an incompletely cleft tongue, appearing as midline fissure. This is normally classed as fissured tongue. Caviar tongue - the veins underneath the tongue can become dilated and prominent, giving the undersurface of the tongue a caviar like appearance. Hemangioma Glossitis - some types of glossitis are caused by infections, e.g. median rhomboid glossitis (Candida species), "strawberry tongue" (seen in scarlet fever), and syphilitic glossitis (seen in tertiary syphilis). Oral hairy leukoplakia (seen in people with immunosuppression, caused by Epstein–Barr virus) Oral candidiasis can affect the tongue. Risk factors for oral candidiasis include antibiotic and corticosteroid use, and immunodeficiency (e.g.