fissured tongue

What is Fissured Tongue?

Fissured tongue, also known as scrotal tongue or lingua plicata, is a harmless condition that affects the top surface of the tongue. It is characterized by the presence of one or more grooves, furrows, or fissures on the tongue's surface.

Characteristics of Fissured Tongue

• Cracks, grooves, or clefts appear on the top and sides of the tongue [3].
• These fissures vary in depth and can be shallow or deep [4].
• The condition is benign and does not usually require treatment [5].

Types of Fissured Tongue

Fissured tongue is also known by other names, including scrotal tongue and lingua plicata. It is a common normal variant of the tongue surface with a male preponderance [7].

Causes and Associations

While the exact cause of fissured tongue is unknown, it has been associated with Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome, a rare condition characterized by facial palsy, facial swelling, and fissured tongue [8].

Summary

In summary, fissured tongue is a harmless condition that affects the top surface of the tongue. It is characterized by grooves or furrows on the tongue's surface and does not usually require treatment.

References: [1] Not applicable [2] Not applicable [3] Search result 3 [4] Search result 4 [5] Search result 5 [6] Not applicable [7] Search result 7 [8] Search result 8

Fissured tongue, also known as scrotal or plicated tongue, can manifest in various ways. Here are the common signs and symptoms associated with this condition:

• Multiple small furrows or grooves: The dorsal (top) surface of the tongue may have multiple shallow or deep grooves, which can be single or multiple [2].
• Prominent fissure in the center: A prominent fissure is often found in the center of the tongue [3].
• Furrows or cracks on the tongue's surface: The condition is characterized by furrows or cracks on the surface of the tongue [4, 8].
• No symptoms in most cases: In many instances, fissured tongue does not cause any symptoms, and a person may not even notice it [5, 9].
• Discomfort and increased sensitivity: Some people may experience discomfort and increased sensitivity to certain substances or foods due to the fissures on their tongue [1, 12].
• Food accumulation and irritation: If the fissures are deep, food can become lodged in them, leading to tongue inflammation, burning sensation, and halitosis [12].

It's essential to note that fissured tongue is generally a benign condition and may not require treatment unless other symptoms or complications arise.

Diagnostic Tests for Fissured Tongue

Fissured tongue, also known as fissurated tongue or scrotal tongue, is a harmless condition characterized by the presence of furrows or grooves on the surface of the tongue. While it's considered a variation of normal tongue appearance, in some cases, diagnostic tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions that might have similar symptoms.

Clinical Diagnosis

The diagnosis of fissured tongue is usually made through a clinical examination by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or dentist [6]. A visual inspection of the tongue during this examination can reveal the characteristic furrows or grooves associated with fissured tongue [9].

Other Diagnostic Tests

While not always necessary, other diagnostic tests may be considered in some cases to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions. These might include:

• Blood tests: To check for any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to symptoms [2]
• Tongue biopsy: In rare cases, a biopsy of the tongue tissue may be performed to examine the underlying cause of the fissures [4]

Treatment and Management

It's worth noting that diagnostic tests are not typically required for fissured tongue, as it is considered a harmless condition. Treatment usually involves reassurance, advice on good oral hygiene, and tongue cleansing [5].

Based on the available information, it appears that fissured tongue does not typically require drug treatment.

• According to search result [1], good oral hygiene can prevent fissures from causing any issues, implying that no specific medication is required.
• Search result [2] states that a fissured tongue "does not typically require treatment", suggesting that there is no need for drug intervention.
• Similarly, search results [3], [4], [5], [6], and [7] all mention that fissured tongue does not require any specific treatment or medication.

In fact, the only recommendation mentioned in these search results is to maintain proper oral and dental care, such as brushing the top surface of the tongue. This can be done using a toothbrush or a specialized tongue brush.

Therefore, it seems that drug treatment is not necessary for fissured tongue. However, if you have any symptoms or complications related to Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (as mentioned in search result [3]), you should consult with a healthcare professional for proper guidance.

References: [1] A fissured tongue is a harmless condition that involves having grooves on the surface of your tongue. [2] A fissured tongue does not typically require treatment. Often, it does not have any symptoms, and a person may not know they have the condition ... [3] Mar 20, 2023 — In almost all cases, though, no treatment is needed. However, if you have symptoms or any complications of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome ... [4] Mar 1, 2023 — Fissured tongue doesn't usually require a diagnosis or treatment since it's considered a variation of a tongue's appearance. [5] Fissured tongue is a benign condition that does not require any specific treatment. Patients should be encouraged to brush the top surface of their tongue to ... [6] May 14, 2018 — No definitive therapy or medication is required for fissured tongue. If symptomatic, patients with fissured tongue are encouraged to brush ... [7] Fissured tongue generally doesn't require treatment. However, it's important to maintain proper oral and dental care, such as brushing the top surface of the ...

Fissured tongue, also known as scrotal tongue or plicated tongue, is a common normal variant of the tongue that can sometimes be confused with other conditions. Here are some possible differential diagnoses for fissured tongue:

• Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: This is a rare condition characterized by a triad of recurrent facial swelling (orofacial granulomatosis), lip swelling, and fissured tongue [4]. Fissured tongue has been reported in association with this syndrome.
• Coffin-Lowry syndrome: This is a genetic disorder that affects the development of various organs, including the tongue. Fissured tongue has been associated with this condition [6].
• Fraser's Syndrome: This is a rare genetic disorder characterized by cleft palate, cryptorchidism, and other abnormalities. Fissured tongue has been reported in association with this syndrome.
• Down's syndrome: Individuals with Down's syndrome may have fissured tongue as part of their clinical presentation [6].
• Geographic tongue: This is a condition characterized by patches of depigmentation on the surface of the tongue, which can sometimes be confused with fissured tongue. However, geographic tongue typically does not involve deep grooves or fissures.
• Other conditions: Fissured tongue may also be seen in association with other conditions such as chronic granulomatous disease [7].

It's worth noting that most cases of fissured tongue are benign and do not require any specific treatment. However, if you're experiencing symptoms or have concerns about your oral health, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and advice.

References: [4] - Context 4 [6] - Context 6 [7] - Context 7