Geographic Tongue

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.