Geographic tongue Classification and external resources
Geographic Tongue
ICD-10	K14.1
ICD-9	529.1
OMIM	137400
DiseasesDB	29512
MedlinePlus	001049
eMedicine	derm/664
MeSH	D005929

Geographic tongue, also known as benign migratory glossitis, erythema migrans, or continental tongue, is a condition affecting the tongue. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision ( ICD -10) is a coding of diseases and signs symptoms abnormal findings K00-K93 - Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K14 Diseases of oral cavity salivary glands and jaws ( Disorders of Tooth development and Eruption The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. The Mendelian Inheritance in Man project is a Database that catalogues all the known Diseases with a genetic component, and—when possible—links them The Diseases Database is a free Website that provides information about the relationships between medical conditions Symptoms, and Medications. MedlinePlus, with the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, is a website network containing Health information from the world's largest medical Library eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996 by Scott Plantz and Richard Lavely two medical doctors Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books Glossitis is Inflammation or Infection of the Tongue. It causes the tongue to swell and change color The tongue is the large bundle of Skeletal muscles on the floor of the Mouth that manipulates Food for chewing and swallowing (deglutition The colloquial names are due to the condition resembling a map. A colloquialism is an expression not used in formal speech, writing or Paralinguistics. A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, Regions, and Themes

Symptoms

The top side of the tongue is covered in small protrusions called papillae. In a tongue affected by geographic tongue, there are red patches on the surface of the tongue bordered by grayish white. The papillae are missing from the reddish areas and overcrowded in the grayish white borders. The small patches may disappear and reappear in a short period of time (hours or days), and change in shape or size. While it is not common for the condition to cause pain, it may cause a burning or stinging sensation, especially after contact with certain foods, such as spicy or citrus foods. Citrus is a common term and Genus of Flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, originating in tropical and subtropical southeast regions of Chemicals, such as mouth washes and teeth whiteners, can also aggravate the condition. Geographic tongue may also cause numbness. Coexistence of fissures of the tongue is often noticed.

Histopathology

Another example of geographic tongue, showing strong color contrast between the red and white areas.

Irregular areas of dekeratinized and desquamated filiform papillae (red in color) are surrounded by elevated whitish or yellow margins due to acantholysis and hyperkeratosis. Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble they form the hard but nonmineralized structures found in Reptiles Birds Neutrophils migrate into the epithelial layer, creating what are termed Munro's Abscesses.

Cause

Its cause is uncertain, though tends to run in families and is associated with several different genes. History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance Geographic tongue is more commonly found in people who are affected by environmental sensitivity, such as allergies, eczema, and asthma. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. Eczema (from Greek έκζεμα) is a form of Dermatitis, or Inflammation of the Epidermis. Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are Some think that it may be linked to stress or diets high in sugar or processed foods. Its prevalence also varies by ethnicity (0. 6% of Americans, 4% of young Iraqis, 2% of young Finns) and gender (females affected 3 times more than males).

Some studies show there might be a link with psoriasis.

Treatment

While there is no known cure or commonly prescribed treatment for geographic tongue, there are several ways to suppress the condition, including avoiding foods which exacerbate the problem. Some people affected by geographic tongue also report that taking Vitamin B supplements causes the condition to go away temporarily. The B vitamins are eight water-soluble Vitamins that play important roles in cell Metabolism. Some groups mention using antiinflammatory steroids applied topically clears the patches. Burning may also be reduced by taking antihistamines. The condition is usually asymptomatic and insignificant; persisting pain is rare. Geographic tongue is not associated with any known systemic diseases.

References

• Dr Greene
• Maxillofacial center
• Notes etymology

External links

• Geographic tongue at NIH's Office of Rare Diseases