Which diseases cause a change in the tongue?
What can cause different tongue problems?
- White tongue. This is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the cells of the skin.
- Red tongue. A red tongue typically occurs due to an underlying medical condition or vitamin deficiency. ...
- Geographic tongue. ...
- Tongue-tie. ...
- Black hairy tongue. ...
- Oral hygiene tips
- When to see a doctor. ...
- Summary. ...
Do tongue sores and bumps indicate cancer?
Tongue bumps are common, and there are many possible causes, including injuries, allergies, and infections. Although tongue bumps can feel strange and may cause concern, they are usually harmless. Some people with bumps on their tongue may worry about cancer, but oral cancers are relatively rare.
What causes cancer on the side of the tongue?
Tongue Cancer Facts
- Symptoms. One of the first signs of tongue cancer is a lump or sore on the side of your tongue that doesn’t go away.
- Causes. The human papillomavirus ( HPV) can cause cancers on the base of the tongue. ...
- Diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your mouth and ask questions about your symptoms. ...
What causes a shiny tongue?
What causes glossitis?
- Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to medications, food, and other potential irritants may aggravate the papillae and the muscle tissues of the tongue.
- Diseases. Certain diseases that affect your immune system may attack the tongue’s muscles and papillae. ...
- Low iron levels. Not enough iron in the blood can trigger glossitis. ...
- Mouth trauma. ...
Why does tongue deviates to side of lesion?
Hypoglossal Nerve Lesions When one of the two nerves is damaged, then the tongue, when protruded will deviate towards the damaged nerve because of the overaction of the strong genioglossus muscles.
What nerve causes tongue deviation?
Damage to the hypoglossal nerve causes paralysis of the tongue. Usually, one side of the tongue is affected, and when the person sticks out his or her tongue, it deviates or points toward the side that is damaged. The tongue is first observed for position and appearance while it is at rest.
Does tongue deviate to lesion?
The tongue will deviate away from the side of the lesion. Nuclear or infranuclear lesions cause difficulty moving the tongue ipsilaterally, and later, unilateral muscle atrophy and even fasciculations may occur, which may cause dysarthria.
What muscle causes tongue deviation?
The left and right genioglossus muscles in particular are responsible for protruding the tongue. The muscles, attached to the underside of the top and back parts of the tongue, cause the tongue to protrude and deviate towards the opposite side.
What side of the brain controls the tongue?
There is an area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere called Broca's area. It is next to the region that controls the movement of facial muscles, tongue, jaw and throat.
Can a pinched nerve affect your tongue?
It may only affect one side of the tongue, or extend to the lips and chin. About 90 percent of these nerve injuries are temporary, so a person should get back to normal within 8 weeks. If symptoms last longer than 6 months, the nerve injury is considered permanent and will need to be treated by a medical professional.
How do you determine a tongue deviation?
Ask the patient to protrude their tongue, and then move it to either side.Interpretation.Deviation to the left - suggests a lesion of the left hypoglossal (XII) nerve or higher.Deviation to the right - suggests a lesion of the right hypoglossal (XII) nerve or higher.
What happens when the hypoglossal nerve is damaged?
Disorders of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal nerve) cause weakness or wasting (atrophy) of the tongue on the affected side. This nerve moves the tongue. Hypoglossal nerve disorders may be caused by tumors, strokes, infections, injuries, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
How do you test for hypoglossal nerve damage?
The hypoglossal nerve can be examined by asking a patient to protrude their tongue, move their tongue laterally, and place their tongue against their cheek to resist the opposing force of the examiner's hand resting on the external cheek. Pathology to CN XII is a relatively uncommon event.
Can the hypoglossal nerve be repaired?
Repair of Hypoglossal Nerve Injury Similar to facial nerve repairs, the ideal management involves establishment of a tension-free anastomosis (Avitia & Osborne, 2008). Although this is preferably performed with end-to-end anastomosis if possible, the use of interposition grafts can be used.
Can a stroke affect your tongue?
Stroke can trigger a loss of ability to communicate by affecting the strength of the muscles that control the tongue and lips (dysarthria) or by disrupting the motor patterns sent by the brain to the tongue and lips (dyspraxia). Both disorders impact our ability to form the basic movements that allow us to speak.
How long does it take for hypoglossal nerve to heal?
Although there has been a report of permanent nerve damage, patients with transient hypoglossal palsies are known to fully recover within 6 months of incidence. Postoperative hypoglossal nerve palsy may cause great discomfort as it is related to speech, a critical aspect in daily life.
What happens when cranial nerve 12 is damaged?
Disorders of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal nerve) cause weakness or wasting (atrophy) of the tongue on the affected side. This nerve moves the tongue. Hypoglossal nerve disorders may be caused by tumors, strokes, infections, injuries, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
What happens when the glossopharyngeal nerve is damaged?
Glossopharyngeal nerve lesions produce difficulty swallowing; impairment of taste over the posterior one-third of the tongue and palate; impaired sensation over the posterior one-third of the tongue, palate, and pharynx; an absent gag reflex; and dysfunction of the parotid gland.
What happens if the vagus nerve is damaged?
The vagal nerves carry signals between your brain, heart and digestive system. They're a key part of your parasympathetic nervous system. Vagus nerve damage can lead to gastroparesis, food not moving into your intestines. Some people with vasovagal syncope faint from low blood pressure.
What does the 9th cranial nerve do?
The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth set of 12 cranial nerves (CN IX). It provides motor, parasympathetic and sensory information to your mouth and throat. Among its many functions, the nerve helps raise part of your throat, enabling swallowing.
What causes deviation of tongue to side of lesion?
Damage to a hypoglossal nerve nearly always causes deviation of the tongue to the side of the lesion. Occasionally, with a UMN lesion, the tongue deviates contralaterally, as each hypoglossal nucleus receives UMN input from the left and right sides.
What were the medical problems of a man who was unable to swallow?
His other medical problems included atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy: he was prescribed warfarin, bendroflumethiazide, and alfuzosin hydrochloride. He was an ex-smoker, and rarely drank alcohol. He had attended an otolaryngology clinic the month before, having had difficulty swallowing solids for 3 months, during which his weight had decreased by 12 kg. In the otolaryngology clinic, fibre-optic nasal endoscopy and a gastrograffin swallow test had shown a normal cervical and thoracic oesophagus. The doctor had found the patient to be dysarthric, but did not think that the dysphagia was caused by a problem with the tongue, mouth, or throat. The patient was then seen in a gastroenterology clinic, where an oesophageal cause of dysphagia was ruled out, and a neurological cause suspected. However, before the patient could have MRI of the brain as an outpatient, he was brought by ambulance to us.
Why is my tongue black?
This in turn can cause it to become stained easily by coffee, food or tobacco. It can also occur after taking pepto-bismol or can be a side effect from taking penicillin. Certain types of bacteria and yeast can also be a factor.
Is tongue deviation neurological?
Many: Not all tongue deviations are neurological. Some things like tumors may be at fault. I would suggest that if this is your problem a consultation with an ear, nose & throat specialist is in order.
What is the inflammation of the back of the tongue called?
diamond-shaped inflammation at the back of the tongue, otherwise known as median rhomboid glossitis
Why is my tongue white?
White tongue. A white tongue can occur due to a variety of medical conditions: 1. Lichen planus. This is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the cells of the skin.
How long does a lingua villosa nigra grow?
The main symptom of lingua villosa nigra is the lengthening of papillae. They can grow up to 18mm in length. Because the papillae grow so long, food and other bacteria can get trapped in it, which, according to the AAOM, can change the color of the papillae. People may also experience: a burning sensation of the tongue.
Why does keratin build up in the tongue?
The keratin builds up because there is not enough abrasion or stimulation to the tongue. Some factors that may increase the chances of lingua villosa nigra include: poor oral hygiene. using antibiotics for an extended period. radiation treatment of the head and neck.
What is Geographic Tongue?
Geographic tongue is a condition where the tongue becomes inflamed, causing it to lose some of its papillae.
What is the white pattern on the tongue?
Lichen planus often presents a white, lacy pattern on the tongue or as scattered ulcerations.
What is a healthy tongue?
A healthy tongue is usually pink, and papillae, which are minusclue bumps, cover the surface. In this article, we discuss conditions that may change the appearance of a tongue and how to treat them.
How to prevent tongue problems?
You can prevent or relieve some tongue problems by practicing good dental hygiene. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.
What to do if your doctor can't diagnose tongue issues?
Most likely, your doctor will want to take a sample of blood to test for or rule out various disorders that could be causing your tongue issues.
What happens if you bite your tongue?
If you bite your tongue, you may develop a sore that can last for days and be very painful. A minor infection on the tongue isn’t uncommon, and it can cause pain and irritation. Inflamed papillae, or taste buds, are small, painful bumps that appear after an injury from a bite or irritation from hot foods.
What does it mean when your tongue is red?
a change from the normal color of your tongue or patches of color that are white, bright pink, black, or brown. pain either all over the tongue or only in certain spots. a burning sensation either all over the tongue or only in certain spots. white or red patches, which are often painful. a furry or hairy appearance of the tongue.
Why does my tongue burn?
A burning sensation on the tongue may occur in women who are postmenopausal. It can also occur due to exposure to irritants, such as cigarette smoke.
What are the symptoms of a sour tongue?
Possible symptoms that you may experience related to your tongue include: a partial or complete loss of taste or changes in your ability to taste sour, salty, bitter, or sweet flavors. difficulty moving your tongue. tongue swelling. a change from the normal color of your tongue or patches of color that are white, bright pink, black, or brown.
What to expect at a doctor's appointment for tongue?
During your appointment, your doctor will thoroughly examine your tongue and ask you several questions about your tongue and your symptoms. They’ll want to know:
Which muscle is the only tongue muscle?
The hypoglossus muscle is a thin, flat, quadrilateral muscle and the styloglossus muscle interdigitates with the hyoglossus muscle. The extrinsic palatoglossus muscle is the only tongue muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve. The paired extrinsic muscles are attached to the surrounding structures.
What causes a 12th nerve palsy?
According to a study of 100 cases with 12th nerve palsy, nearly half of the cases were caused by cancer (49%), 12% were caused by trauma, and only 6% by stroke. Other reasons for hypoglossal nerve dysfunction were multiple sclerosis (6%), surgery (5%), Guillain–Barre neuropathy (4%), and infection (4%). 3 In another study, 2 of 7 patients with hypoglossal nerve palsy and suspected tongue-base masses had internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD). 4
How many segments are there in the hypoglossal nerve?
The nuclear and infranuclear hypoglossal nerve can be divided into 5 segments to help, which provide clues not only to localization but also aid in determining the likely pathogenesis. These segments are the medullary, cisternal, skull base, nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal carotid space, and sublingual segments.
