Geographic tongue

Alternative names:

benign migratory glossitis; glossitis areata migrans

Definition:

A descriptive term applied to a map-like appearance of the tongue resulting from irregular denuded patches on its surface.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The specific cause of geographic tongue is unknown, although allergies may be involved. Other causes may include local irritation of a small portion of the tongue from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco, or other local irritants. The pattern on the surface of the tongue may change very rapidly. The pattern results from the loss of tongue papillae (tiny finger-like projections on the surface of the tongue), giving areas of the tongue flat spots, and the subsequent geographic appearance. These areas of papillae loss are called denuded. Denuded areas may persist for more than a month. Occasionally, mild irritation of the tongue is reported.