bald tongue

tongue (tung),

n the muscular organ that is the main articulatory element in the production of speech and accounts for the clarity and fluidity of speech. Two groups of tongue muscles, the intrinsic and extrinsic, are united into one organ. Each group, however, has separate structural and functional characteristics.

Tongue.

tongue, amyloid (amyloid macroglossia),

n enlargement of the tongue resulting from amyloidosis.

tongue, antibiotic,

n a glossitis caused by sensitivity to an antibiotic, vitamin B complex deficiency associated with antibiotic therapy.

tongue, bald,

n See glossitis, atrophic.

tongue, beefy,

n erythematous or
atrophic glossitis. See also glossitis, atrophic; glossitis, Moeller's.

tongue, bifid (cleft tongue),

n a tongue divided by a midline cleft.

tongue, black hairy (lingua nigra),

n a black appearance of the dorsal surface of the tongue; caused by elongated filiform papillae and an accumulation of dark pigments, microorganisms, and food debris.

Black hairy tongue.

tongue blade,

n a narrow, wooden instrument used by the patient to clean the tongue. Can also be used during an examination to aid in inspection of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity.

tongue, cleft,

n See tongue, bifid.

tongue, coated,

n nonspecific term used to describe the condition of the tongue resulting from whitish or otherwise discolored accumulations of food debris, bacterial plaques, and hyperplastic filiform papillae. Reduced function, as in general illness or laryngitis, is a primary cause.

tongue, cobblestone,

n hyperplasia and hyperemia of fungiform and filiform papillae of the tongue in riboflavin deficiency. Formerly used to describe syphilitic glossitis with leukoplakia.

tongue crib,

n an appliance used to limit undesirable tongue movements, usually constructed to prevent its protrusion between the anterior teeth.

tongue depressor,

n.pl a flat wooden stick used to position the tongue so that the back of the throat may be seen. Several may be used together as oral cavity props.

tongue, fissured (furrowed tongue),

n a tongue traversed by clefts that may be arranged like the veins of a leaf or give the tongue a “pavement block” appearance. It is seen in 5% of all dental patients but in 13% of those older than 50 years.

tongue, flat,

n paralysis of the transverse lingual muscles such that the borders of the tongue cannot be rolled. The condition results from congenital syphilis.

tongue, furrowed,

n See tongue, fissured.

tongue, geographic,

n (benign migratory glossitis, glossitis areata exfoliativa, glossitis migrans, wandering rash), a condition characterized by a chronic, circumscribed, more or less circular desquamation of the superficial epithelium of the dorsum of the tongue. The spots of desquamation (redder areas) migrate continuously, usually passing from the region near the vallate papillae toward the tip of the tongue. This condition involves the filiform lingual papillae. The tongue can seem more sensi-tive than usual during times of exacerbation.

Geographic tongue.

tongue, hairy,

n hyperplasia of the filiform lingual papillae, often associated with oral moniliasis and the use of antibiotics or tobacco.

tongue, lobulated

n a congenital defect, with a secondary lobe of the tongue arising from its surface.

tongue, magenta,

n the reddish-purple tongue of riboflavin deficiency.

tongue margin, indentation,

n See crenation of tongue.

tongue piercing,

n a deliberate pierc-ing of the tongue in order to wear tongue jewelry, which creates a high risk of life-threatening systemic effects, as well as dental abrasion, gingival recession, and fractured teeth, especially during athletic activities.

tongue room,

n See tongue space.

tongue, Sandwith's bald,

n.pr a condition in which the tongue is very smooth because of a loss of fusiform papillae and is fiery red and enlarged because of severe inflammation; seen in pellagra.

tongue scraper,

n an oral hygiene implement drawn down the tongue from the back to the front in order to reduce oral cavity odors and plaque-producing bacteria.

tongue, smooth,

n See glossitis, atrophic.

tongue space,

n the space available for functioning of the tongue.

tongue, strawberry,

n See strawberry tongue.

tongue thrust,

n thrusting of the tongue between the anterior teeth, especially in the initial stage of swallowing. This action, often combined with a resting position also between the teeth, may inhibit normal eruption and produce an open bite.

tongue, white hairy (lingua alba, lingua villosa alba),

n hairy tongue characterized by elongation of the filiform papillae but without the dark staining seen in lingua nigra (black hairy tongue). See also tongue, black hairy.

tonguetie,

n See ankyloglossia.

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bald tongue

Complete atrophy of lingual papillae, seen in pernicious or iron-deficiency anemias, pellagra–bald tongue of Sandwith, syphilis Clinical Pain, burning, beefy red color