Tongue - Pathology

Pathology

After the gums, the tongue is the second most common soft tissue site for various pathologies in the oral cavity. Pathological conditions of the tongue include geographic tongue, burning mouth syndrome, tongue necrosis, oral hairy leukoplakia, granular cell tumor and squamous cell carcinoma. Owing to optimal conditions of humidity, temperature and hiding niche between the tongue papillae and inside the pierced tongue, the tongue is a preferred site for colonization of Candida albicans.

Many infections are often found on or under the tongue. One rare but very possible infection is gonorrhea, characterized by small white bumps located underneath the tongue.