The scrotal tongue - or plicata tongue or fissured tongue - is a condition characterized by the presence of numerous and evident furrows, more or less deep and arranged in various ways, on the dorsal surface of the tongue.
The presence of these grooves gives the tongue a wrinkled appearance, similar to that of the scrotum; hence the term scrotal language.
In most cases it is a characteristic devoid of pathological significance.
The scrotal tongue may be evident from birth, but more often it occurs throughout life, in more serious forms as age progresses. According to some sources, this characteristic would be present in about 20% of the world population. Beyond the numbers, what is certain is that in the vast majority of cases it is a benign condition, often hereditary and that seems slightly more common in men than in women.
Only in rare cases, the scrotal tongue is part of a larger set of signs and symptoms associated with particular diseases, such as:
- Down syndrome: in which the tongue is large and protruding, often scrotal (see other symptoms of Down syndrome);
- Melfersson-Rosenthal syndrome: in which in addition to the scrotal tongue there is also a swelling of the lips and face, and / or facial paralysis.
In healthy subjects, the only risk associated with the scrotal tongue depends on the easier accumulation of food and bacteria in the bottom of the lingual grooves. Especially in the absence of correct oral hygiene, this characteristic therefore represents an important risk factor for caries and halitosis, as it creates an ideal environment for bacterial proliferation in the oral cavity.
To prevent halitosis and other dental problems related to the scrotal tongue, it is essential to perform an adequate cleaning of the tongue every day .
