Glossitis Or Inflammation Of The Tongue occurs either in a superficial or a deep form. In the superficial variety there is a desquamation of the epithelium. It may follow marked intestinal disorders or be the result of local irritations. The surface of the tongue becomes white or brown, due to the degenerated epithelium, particles of food, and bacteria. May become dry, hard, and fissured. If the superficial glossitis becomes chronic, local thickenings of the mucous membrane are formed. They are irregular, slightly elevated, whitish patches, which may spread and coalesce. This variety is known as leukoplakia or psoriasis linguoe. Occasionally the thickened epithelium may desquamate and leave an ulcer. Quite frequently secondary epitheliomata develop at the site of the lesion.

The deeper inflammations of the tongue generally result from injury and infection. The organ may become swollen, painful, and infiltrated by leukocytes; small abscesses may also form. Is usually accompanied by some degeneration and atrophy of the muscles.

One form of inflammation of the tongue is known as melano-glossia, black tongue. The epithelium upon the papillae, particularly the filiform variety, becomes greatly increased and gives rise to a hairy appearance. The color may be due to an increase of pigment in the epithelium or to a fungus mixed with which are particles of food and bacteria.

Tumors Of All Kinds

Tumors Of All Kinds are found within the mouth. Of the connective-tissue forms, lipoma, fibroma, myxoma, and sarcoma occur, also lymphangioma and hemangioma. Adenoma and carcinoma of the squamous type are found. Sarcoma generally appears upon the gums near the roots of the teeth and is known as epulis; is generally of the giant cell variety. Some epuli may be pure fibromata. The carcinoma is generally present in the form of the squamous epithelioma. Is found most commonly on the tongue at one side, where its course is quite rapid. It frequently occurs at the site of a long-continued ulceration from a carious tooth. It appears as a circumscribed hard swelling which soon breaks down and rapidly ulcerates. It soon involves the neighboring cheek and larynx, and gives metastases to the cervical and submaxillary lymph-nodes, and if excised it soon returns.