Intro
Tongue is a muscle body organ associated with the function of deglutition,preference and speech.It acts as a quickly accessible body organ for the evaluation of health and wellness of an individual and shows the specify of hydration of the body.It's said that tongue is the mirror of the intestinal system and any unusual functioning of the stomach and intestines will be assessed the tongue.
Some characteristic changes occur in the tongue in some particular illness.That's why the evaluation of the tongue is very essential and will give some hints for medical diagnosis.All doctors examine the tongue and they consider the changes in dimension,form,,colour,moisture,covering,nature of papillae and movements ect.
Look of tongue in some unusual problems
Movements of the tongue
In one sided paralysis of the body(hemiplegia)tongue moves towards the parylised side when extended.
Tremulus movement of the tongue is seen in illness such as thyrotoxicosis,delirium tremens and parkinsonisum.Tremor is also seen in anxious clients.
In modern bulbar palsy there will be squandering and paralysis of the tongue with fibrillation.Eventually the tongue obtains shrivelled and exists functionless in the flooring of the mouth.This problem is associated with dripping of saliva and loss of speech.
Moistness of the tongue
The moistness of the tongue gives some indicator about the specify of hydration of the body. Sprinkle quantity depletion leads to peripheral blood circulation failing characterised by weak point, thirst, uneasyness, anorexia, queasiness, throwing up ,dry and parched tongue.
Dry skin of the tongue is seen in following problems.
- Diarrhoea
- Later on stages of serious disease
- Advanced uraemia decoration) Hypovolumic stun
- Heat fatigue
- Hyponatraemia
- Severe intestinal blockage
- Hunger
- Prlonged not eating.
Change in colour of tongue
- Main cyanosis
Cyanosis is the bluish discolouration of the mucous membrane layer because of decrease in the quantity of oxygen in the blood.This is seen in heart failing,respiratory failing and in anoxia.In cyanosis tongue,lips ect becomes pale bluish.
- Jaundice
This is the yellow-colored discolouration of all mucous surface areas of the body (consisting of tongue)due to increase of bilirubin in the blood.Jaundice is seen in hepatitis,bile air duct blockage,enhanced destruction of RBCs and ect...
- Advanced uremia
This is the increase of urea and various other nitrogenous waste items in the blood because of kidney failing.Here the tongue become brownish in colour.
- Keto acidosis
This is the acidosis with build-up of ketone bodies seen mainly in diabetes mellitus.Here the tongue become brownish with a common ketone smell from the mouth.
- Riboflavin shortage
Shortage of this vitamin (vitamin B2) creates megenta colour of the tongue with discomfort and fissures of lips.
- Niacin shortage
Shortage of niacin (vitamin B3)and some various other B complex vitamins outcomes in bright scarlet or sturdy red tongue.
- Anaemia
It's the decrease in haemoglobin portion of the blood.In serious anaemia tongue becomes pale.
Covering on the tongue
- Bad breath
The main cause for bad breath is development of a pasty coating(bio movie) on the tongue which lodges thousands of anaerobic germs leading to the manufacturing of offenssive gases.Those that grumble about bad breath may have thick covering on the posterior component of the tongue.
- Typhoid high temperature
In typhoid high temperature tongue becomes white coared such as a hair.
- Candidiasis
It's a fungal infection which affects the mucous surface areas of the body.On the tongue there will be sloughing white sores.
- Additional syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted unhealthy triggered by trepenoma pallidum infection.In additional phase of this illness we can see mucous spots which are pain-free,smooth white glystening opalescent plaques which can not be scuffed off easily.
- Leokoplakia
Here white keratotic spots are seen on the tongue and dental cavity.This is a precancerous problem.
- AIDS
In these clients unshaven leukoplakia is seen.
- Peritonitis
It's the swelling of the peritonium(inner covering of stomach cavity which also covers the intestines and maintain them in position) in this problem there's white furring of the tongue.
- Severe disease
Furring is also seen in some severe illness.
Papillae
These are small forecasts on the rongue associated with preference.There are various kind of papillae on the healthy and balanced tongue.In some illness there are some unusual changes which are following.
- Unshaven tongue
This problem is because of elongation of filiform papillae seen in bad dental hygeine ,basic debility and indigestion.
- Geographic tongue
Here uneven red and white spots show up on the tongue.These sores appearances such as a geographic map.The excact cause isn't known.
- Average rhomboid glossitis
In this problem there's smooth nodular red location in the posterior mid line of the tongue.This is a hereditary problem.
- Dietary shortage
In nutrional shortage there's glossitis(inflammation of tongue) prominent to papillary hypertrophy complied with by degeneration.
- Benign migratory glossitis
It's an inflamatory problem of the tongue where several annular locations of desquamation of papillae show up on the tongue which shift from location to location in couple of days.
- Thiamine and riboflavin shortage
Shortage of these vitamins cause hypertrophied filiform and fungiform papillae.
- Niacin and iron shortage
In this problem there's degeneration of papillae.Smooth tongue is encountered in iron shortage.
- Vitamin A shortage
This causes furrowed tongue.
- In dietary megaloblastic anaemia tongue becomes smooth.
- Folic acid shortage
Here macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia with glossitis is seen.
- Cyano coblamine shortage
Here glossitis with macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia and peripheral neuropathy is encountered.
- Scarlet fever
In this streptococcal infection there's bright red papillae standing apart of a thick white hair ,later on the white layer vanish leaving bigger papillae on the bright red surface and is called strawberry tongue.
Abscess on the tongue
- Apthous ulcer
These are rounded unpleasant abscess show up in stressed people often. May be associated with food allergic reaction.Usual websites are tongue,lips,dental mucosa and ect.
- Herpes simplex
It's an severe vesicular eruptions produced by herpes simplex infection.When these vesicles rupture it forms abscess.
- Ulcer in cancer cells
Cancerous abscess are having actually everted sides with hard base.Bleeding is also seen.Cancer cells of the tongue prevails in cigarette chewers.
- Syphilitic abscess
Syphilitic fissures are longitudinal in instructions.In primary syphilis extra genital chancre is seen on the tongue.In additional syphilis several superficial abscess are seen on the under surface and sides of the tongue.In tertiary syphilis gumma may be seen on the midline of the dorsum of the tongue.
- Oral abscess
These abscess are produced by sharp sides of carious teeth.