Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue is an inflammatory condition of the tongue affecting approximately 2% of the population as of 2003, and 3% of as 2012. It is characterized by discolored regions of taste buds or sometimes even cracks in the surface of the tongue. The condition is usually chronic, and frequently manifests after eating any of a range of exacerbating foods, or during times of stress, illness, or hormonal surges (particularly in women just before menstruating). It is also known as benign migratory glossitis, oral erythema migrans, glossitis areata exfoliativa, glossitis areata migrans, lingua geographica, stomatitis areata migrans, and transitory benign plaques of the tongue.

The name "geographic" resulted from the map-like fashion and the patches resembling the islands of an archipelago.