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Geographic tongue - Symptom

Alternative Names

Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis; Glossitis - benign migratory

Symptoms:

Map-like appearance to the surface of the tongue
Patches that change location from day to day
Smooth, beefy red patches and lesions on the tongue
Soreness and burning pain (in some cases)

Signs and tests:

Your doctor will usually diagnose this condition based on an examination of your tongue. Tests are usually not necessary.

Tongue

Reviewed last on: 3/3/2009
James L. Demetroulakos, MD, FACS, Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2428.

Shulman JD. Prevalence and risk factors associated with geographic tongue among US adults. Oral Dis. Jul 2006; 12(4): 381-6.

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