Tongue, Geographic

Synonyms

• Benign Migratory Glossitis
• BMG
• Glossitis Areata Migrans
• Wandering Rash Tongue

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Geographic Tongue is a benign, most often asymptomatic, inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) that may come and go and recur over time. The term alludes to the ‘map-like’ appearance of the irregular, denuded patches on the tongue’s surface that may feel slightly sore, ‘hot’ and itchy. The patches, and the patterns they form, result from the loss of the tiny finger-like projections (papillae) from the tongue’s surface.
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Resources

Smell and Taste Center
University of Pennsylvania
5 Ravdin Building
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: (215)662-6580
Fax: (215)349-5266
Email: helene.katz@uphs.upenn.edu
Internet: http://www.med.upenn.edu/stc

NIH/National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3500
USA
Tel: 3014027364
Fax: 3019078830
TDD: 3016567581
Email: nohic@nidcr.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nohic.nidcr.nih.gov

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 10/18/2002
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.