First described by Rayer in 1831, geographic tongue is a benign chronic relapsing recurring inflammatory condition of the oral cavity of unknown etiology. It can also be referred to as benign migratory glossitis, erythema migrans, annulus migrans, and a wandering rash of the tongue. It usually manifests as asymptomatic erythematous and migratory circinate patches that give its characteristic appearance of a map. Depending on the individual, the lesion persists for a period of several days to weeks and then disappears and reappears in a different location. Lesions usually occur on the lateral and dorsal aspects of the tongue; however, extra-lingual lesions can be seen on lips, labial and buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth. Geographic tongue has been associated with other conditions leading to different theories of the pathogenesis of the disorder.
地图舌最早由雷耶于1831年描述，是一种病因不明的口腔良性慢性复发性炎症性疾病。它也可被称为良性游走性舌炎、迁徙性红斑、迁徙性环纹、舌部游走性皮疹。它通常表现为无症状的红斑和迁徙性环形斑块，呈现出其特有的地图样外观。根据个体情况，病损会持续数天至数周，然后消失并在不同部位再次出现。病损通常发生在舌的侧面和背面；然而，唇、唇颊黏膜和口底也可见到舌外病损。地图舌与其他疾病有关，从而产生了该疾病发病机制的不同理论。
