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Smooth, shiny appearance of the tongue, caused by loss of lingual papillae. Tongue color changes, usually to a darker red color than the normal white-pink color of a healthy tongue. Tongue swelling. Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking (either because of tongue soreness or tongue swelling). Burning sensation. [2]
The color may be predominantly white or a mixed white and red. The surface texture is irregular compared to homogeneous leukoplakia, and may be flat ( papular ), nodular or exophytic . [ 9 ] [ 15 ] "Verrucous leukoplakia" (or "verruciform leukoplakia") is a descriptive term used for thick, white, papillary lesions.
Transient lingual papillitis is generally diagnosed based on patient presentation, meaning where it is located in the mouth and how big the bump is. [8] The visual presentation can also accompany various signs and symptoms such as difficulty eating, having a "strawberry tongue", increased saliva production, and a burning or tingling sensation. [9]
The shape and color of the tongue is examined and observed diagnostically in traditional Chinese medicine. For example, scalloping of the tongue is said to indicate qi vacuity. [ 13 ] Some modern medical sources still describe the tongue as "the mirror of physical health". [ 14 ]
In health, the dorsal surface of the tongue is covered in tuft-like projections called lingual papillae (some of which are associated with taste buds), which give the tongue an irregular surface texture and a white-pink color. Geographic tongue is characterized by areas of atrophy and depapillation (loss of papillae), leaving an erythematous ...
The sides of the tongue are inspected with a gloved hand holding a piece of gauze. The tongue is moved side to side and inspected; it should be pink, moist, smooth and glistening. Assessment of the ventral (bottom) surface of the tongue is done by having the patient touch the tip of their tongue against the roof of their mouth.
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Hairy leukoplakia is a white patch on the side of the tongue with a corrugated or hairy appearance. It is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs usually in persons who are immunocompromised, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).