A digital manual for the early diagnosis of oral neoplasia
Fissured tongue
Fissured tongue is a benign condition characterised by mutiple fissures of variable depths on the dorsum of the tongue extending laterally from a median groove. This condition is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes causes bad breath and glossitis due to entrapped food debris within the fissures. This is a development defect of the tongue, usually associated with different syndromes and psoriasis. Even though this is evident in early childhood, the signs and symptoms develop with increasing age. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings. Maintaining good oral hygiene and proper cleaning of tongue with a soft toothbrush is recommended.
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Caption
Figure 1: Fissured tongue. Note the horizontal fissures in the dorsum of tongue.
Figure 2: Fissured tongue. Note the central longitudinal fissure (yellow arrow) with small horizontal fissures (red arrow) on the tongue, with superadded candidiasis.
Figure 3: Fissured tongue. Note the longitudinal fissures on the dorsum tongue, which is more prominent during dehydration.