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Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue
A patient with geographic tongue
SpecialtyOral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dermatology
SymptomsBurning sensation (rare)
CausesUnknown
Diagnostic methodVisual examination
Differential diagnosisOral lichen planus, erythematous candidiasis, leukoplakia, glossitis, and chemical burns
PreventionNone
TreatmentReassurance, time
MedicationNone
Frequency2-3%
DeathsNone

Geographic tongue, also known by several other terms,[note 1] is a condition of the mucous membrane of the tongue, usually on the dorsal surface. It is a common condition, affecting approximately 2–3% of the general population.[2][7] It is characterized by areas of smooth, red depapillation (loss of lingual papillae) which migrate over time. The name comes from the map-like appearance of the tongue,[8] with the patches resembling the islands of an archipelago.[2] The cause is unknown, but the condition is entirely benign (importantly, it does not represent oral cancer), and there is no curative treatment. Uncommonly, geographic tongue may cause a burning sensation on the tongue, for which various treatments have been described with little formal evidence of efficacy.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Kerawala 2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Mangione, Salvatore (2012). Physical Diagnosis Secrets: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access. Elsevier. pp. 604–605. ISBN 978-0323112116. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  3. ^ "Geographic Glossitis entry on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)". National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Neville 2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. p. 800. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
  6. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
  7. ^ Ship, Jonathan A.; Joan Phelan, and A. Ross Kerr (2003). "Chapter 112: Biology and Pathology of the Oral Mucosa". In Freedberg; et al. (eds.). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 1208. ISBN 0-07-138067-1.
  8. ^ Desai, A. B.; Vishwanathan, J. (1989). Textbook Of Paediatrics. India: Orient Blackswan. p. 405. ISBN 978-8125004400. Retrieved November 12, 2012.


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