Tongue

Examination

  • Grasp tip of tongue with gauze to pull forward and up.
  • Inspect lateral margins and undersurface where pathological changes often occur.

Age-Related Changes

  • Fissuring, mucosal thinning, and sublingual varicosities are common.
  • Although number of taste buds decreases with aging, diminished taste sensitivity is more likely due to smoking, drugs, and dry mouth.

Normal Tongue

Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH

Dry and Fissured Tongue

Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH

Lingual Varicosities

Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH