History

The lesions associated with fissured tongue are usually asymptomatic unless debris is entrapped within the fissure or when it occurs in association with geographic tongue (a common finding).

Physical Examination

Upon clinical examination, fissured tongue affects the dorsum and often extends to the lateral borders of the tongue. The depth of the fissures varies but has been noted to be up to 6 mm in diameter. When particularly prominent, the fissures or grooves may be interconnected, separating the tongue dorsum into what may appear to be several lobules.

Complications

Complications are not associated with the fissured tongue per se but are noted in association with the manifestations of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.

Differential Diagnoses

References

Madani FM, Kuperstein AS. Normal variations of oral anatomy and common oral soft tissue lesions: evaluation and management. Med Clin North Am. 2014 Nov. 98 (6):1281-98. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kaminagakura E, Jorge J Jr. Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome: a histopathologic mystery and dermatologic challenge. J Cutan Pathol. 2009 Oct 15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Dar-Odeh NS, Hayajneh WA, Abu-Hammad OA, et al. Orofacial findings in chronic granulomatous disease: report of twelve patients and review of the literature. BMC Res Notes. 2010 Feb 17. 3(1):37. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Stein SL, Mancini AJ. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in childhood: successful management with combination steroid and minocycline therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Nov. 41(5 Pt 1):746-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Alioglu Z, Caylan R, Adanir M, Ozmenoglu M. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: report of three cases. Neurol Sci. 2000 Feb. 21(1):57-60. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gerressen M, Ghassemi A, Stockbrink G, Riediger D, Zadeh MD. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: case report of a 30-year misdiagnosis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005 Jul. 63(7):1035-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Eidelman E, Chosack A, Cohen T. Scrotal tongue and geographic tongue: polygenic and associated traits. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1976 Nov. 42(5):591-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kovac-Kovacic M, Skaleric U. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a population in Ljubljana, Slovenia. J Oral Pathol Med. 2000 Aug. 29(7):331-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Yarom N, Cantony U, Gorsky M. Prevalence of fissured tongue, geographic tongue and median rhomboid glossitis among Israeli adults of different ethnic origins. Dermatology. 2004. 209(2):88-94. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Rogers RS. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and orofacial granulomatosis. Dermatol Clin. 1996 Apr. 14(2):371-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Reamy BV, Derby R, Bunt CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Mar 1. 81(5):627-34. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

Fissured tongue. Courtesy of Kozlovsk (own work), via Wikimedia Commons.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert D Kelsch, DMD Associate Professor, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; Oral Pathology Division, Department of Dental Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Robert D Kelsch, DMD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS Consulting Staff, Dermatology of Southwest Ohio

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Oral Medicine, American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jeff Burgess, DDS, MSD (Retired) Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, University of Washington School of Dental Medicine; (Retired) Attending in Pain Center, University of Washington Medical Center; (Retired) Private Practice in Hawaii and Washington; Director, Oral Care Research Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor, Hospital L'Archet, Nice University, France

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.