Violations of the color, structure and integrity of the tongue can vary during the day, as well as in the process of treating the disease that caused the language changes.
Language furnishing (the appearance of plaque on it) is the most common variant of language changes.
- The composition of the raid:
- dead epithelial cells (surface layer of tongue cells);
- bacteria;
- mushrooms;
- food leftovers.
- The severity of plaque depends on various reasons.
- Composition, texture of food taken.
- The regularity of hygiene measures (brushing teeth and tongue, rinsing the mouth).
- Time of day (there is more plaque in the morning, since during the day part of the plaque is swallowed when eating).
- Violation of the processes of aging and death of the epithelium - the surface cells of the tongue.
- The condition of the papillae of the tongue (outgrowths of the tongue that determine the taste of food):
- with atrophy (reduction in size and number) of papillae, there is little or no plaque;
- with hypertrophy (increase in size and number) of papillae, there is a thick, difficult-to-remove plaque on the surface of the tongue.
- Plaque color:
- greyish white;
- yellow;
- brown;
- black.
- With significant swelling of the tongue, it is possible to bite the tongue while eating or talking.
- Puffiness is determined upon examination by an increase in the size of the tongue and by pronounced imprints of the teeth on its lateral surfaces.
- hypertrophy (increase in size and number) of papillae is accompanied by an increase in the size of the tongue, its swelling and the formation of a dense plaque;
- atrophy (reduction in size and number) of the papillae of the tongue is accompanied by a smooth surface of the tongue, the absence of plaque.
- burning;
- tingling;
- tongue prickling;
- pain in the tongue (especially when eating sour or spicy foods).
- Language color changes:
- red;
- crimson;
- pale pink;
- yellowish;
- blue;
- dark violet;
- black;
- brown;
- green;
- blue.
- Tongue size changes:
- macroglossia (an increase in the size of the tongue);
- microglossia (reduction in the size of the tongue).
- Changes in the shape of the tongue:
- grooved tongue (that is, with thickened edges and a depression in the middle);
- convex tongue (that is, with a thickening in the middle);
- nodular seals of the tongue (detection when probing dense areas in various places of the tongue);
- curvature of the tongue.
- Changes in the surface of the tongue:
- varnished tongue (with a smooth surface);
- "Geographical" language (the presence of sections of different colors and heights, reminiscent of a geographical map);
- deep transverse fractures of the tongue;
- the presence of imprints of teeth on the lateral surface of the tongue;
- folded tongue (enlargement of the tongue and the presence of deeper than usual folds);
- tongue cracks (damage to the surface of the tongue due to its inflammation);
- the presence of white or red spots on the tongue;
- ulcerative lesions of the tongue (the presence of deep defects on its surface);
- blisters on the tip of the tongue.
- Trembling of the tongue.
- Paresthesia (discomfort) of the tongue or glossalgia (pain in the tongue).
Various language changes have their own reasons.
The normal color of the tongue is bright pink. Language color changes occur for the following reasons.
- Red tongue (high body temperature, severe infectious diseases (a group of diseases caused by the penetration of pathogens into the body)).
- Dark red tongue - the presence of infectious diseases, renal failure (impairment of all kidney functions).
- Raspberry (strawberry) tongue:
- B12-deficiency anemia (a decrease in the level of hemoglobin - a special substance of red blood cells that carries oxygen - due to a deficiency of vitamin B12);
- scarlet fever (an infectious disease that occurs mainly in children older than two years, manifested by a skin rash, fever and inflammation of the palatine tonsils). With scarlet fever, the crimson color of the tongue is determined after removing the white coating.
- Very pale - severe emaciation (loss of body weight), anemia (decreased hemoglobin level).
- Yellowish - excess bile in the gallbladder or abnormal liver function.
- Blue - the presence of cardiovascular diseases, heart rhythm disturbances.
- Tongue with a dark purple tint:
- blood clotting disorders;
- ischemic heart disease (a disease resulting from insufficient blood supply to the heart);
- chronic heart failure (a disease associated with insufficient blood supply to organs with blood at rest or during exercise, often accompanied by fluid retention in the body);
- cerebrovascular accident.
- Black color of the tongue - occurs in a number of diseases:
- severe functional disorders of the digestive tract, most often the gallbladder, pancreas, liver;
- dehydration of the body;
- a decrease in the activity of the adrenal glands, as a result of which an increased amount of melanin pigment is produced in the skin and mucous membranes;
- cholera (an acute infectious disease characterized by damage to the gastrointestinal tract, impaired water-salt metabolism and dehydration);
- taking certain antibiotics (drugs that prevent bacteria from growing in the body). In this case, the color of the tongue is restored on its own after stopping antibiotics.
- The green color of the tongue is a sign of stagnation of bile.
- Brown is a sign of kidney disease.
- Blue:
- dysentery (an acute infectious disease that affects the large intestine);
- typhoid fever (an acute infectious disease characterized by fever, intoxication (poisoning), damage to the cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems with the formation of ulcers in the intestinal wall).
- infectious diseases (especially with candidiasis - a disease caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida);
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
- white plaque with a gray tint is located in the center of the tongue with gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) with increased acidity of gastric juice, peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum (formation of a deep defect in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum);
- white plaque, accompanied by dryness of the tongue, occurs with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice;
- plaque on the root of the tongue is observed in diseases of the small and large intestines, with frequent constipation;
- plaque on the root of the tongue and along the edges occurs with kidney diseases.
Bright red papillae on the sides of the tongue indicate a violation of liver function, and on the anterior part of the tongue - a violation of the function of the pelvic organs (bladder, prostate and seminal vesicles).
dry tongue - a sign of dehydration of the body, for example, with high body temperature, infectious diseases, intoxication (poisoning), diarrhea, vomiting. Dryness of the tongue is most common with a runny nose. With a stuffy nose, the patient is forced to breathe through the mouth, which leads to the drying of the tongue.
Grooved tongue (that is, with thick edges and a depression in the center) occurs with simultaneous pathology (disease) of the spleen and liver.
Bulging tongue (that is, with a thickening of the central part) occurs with ascites (accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity).
Curvature of the tongue in the form of a deviation of its tip is observed:
- with damage to the hypoglossal nerve,
- after strokes (death of a part of the brain due to the cessation of blood flow to it),
- with multiple sclerosis (a chronic disease in which the sheath of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord is damaged);
- with myasthenia gravis (diseases characterized by rapid fatigue of the muscles that provide bone movement).
Deep transverse fractures of the tongue occur in cerebrovascular accidents.
Presence of teeth marks on the lateral surface of the tongue occurs when:
- swelling of the tongue due to diseases of the stomach and intestines;
- malabsorption of nutrients in the intestine;
- neurosis (mental disorders arising from traumatic factors - for example, divorce, job change, death of a loved one, etc.).
Cracked tongue - damage to the surface of the tongue due to its inflammation.
Macroglossia (increase in the size of the tongue). It happens congenital (available at birth) and acquired (appears during life).
- Causes of congenital macroglossia:
- idiopathic muscular hypertrophy (congenital enlargement of the tongue that occurs for an unknown reason, often combined with mental retardation);
- hemihypertrophy of the face (one-sided increase in the face due to excessive growth of its half - a fetal malformation that occurs when a woman's body is exposed to harmful factors in the early stages of pregnancy - for example, radiation, severe infection, etc.);
- a benign tumor (that is, growing without damaging surrounding tissues);
- hamartoma (a benign tumor-like formation that occurs due to a violation of the intrauterine development of organs);
- cyst (cavity).
- Causes of acquired macroglossia:
- an increase in the tongue with the loss of the teeth of the lower jaw;
- acromegaly (excessive production of growth hormone that occurs in adulthood, accompanied mainly by an increase in the limbs, tongue, nose);
- hypothyroidism (insufficient production of thyroid hormones);
- cretinism (a congenital disease caused by an insufficient amount of thyroid hormones, accompanied by physical and mental retardation);
- amyloidosis (deposition in the organs of amyloid - a special complex of proteins and carbohydrates);
- malignant tumors (that is, growing with damage to surrounding tissues);
- syphilis (a common infectious disease caused by pale treponema (a special bacterium) that can affect all organs and systems and is transmitted sexually or from a pregnant woman to the fetus).
- Congenital microglossia occurs in utero when a pregnant woman's body is affected by various harmful factors (bacteria, viruses, ionizing radiation (for example, in production), etc.). With congenital microglossia, the tongue is separate dense folds in the area of the bottom of the mouth, which do not allow the normal development of the lower jaw. Constant salivation develops in such patients due to cicatricial changes in the lower lip and pulling it down. Speech becomes slurred.
- Acquired microglossia can develop as a complication after:
- trauma;
- inflammation of the tongue;
- surgical removal of part of the tongue for a tumor.
Spots of white, rarely red occur in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (a malignant tumor consisting of degenerate squamous epithelial cells - that is, cells that normally cover the tongue).
Ulcerative lesions of the tongue (the presence of deep surface defects) may be a manifestation of malignant tumors or syphilis.
Nodular tongue seals found in syphilis.
Blisters on the tip of the tongue found in diseases:
- lungs;
- hearts;
- pericardium (pericardial sac).
- increased central venous pressure (pressure in large veins);
- hereditary predisposition to varicose veins (thinning of certain sections of the veins with the formation of their protrusion in various parts of the body);
- hemorrhoids (a disease associated with inflammation, closure by blood clots, expansion and tortuosity of the veins that form knots around the rectum).
- epilepsy (a disease accompanied by periodic episodes of loss of consciousness);
- chorea (chaotic jerky movements that occur with certain brain lesions);
- tremor (involuntary movements of the body or its individual parts);
- twitching (involuntary short-term contractions of individual muscles).
- Chronic (lasting more than 6 months) diseases of the digestive system (for example, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)).
- Hormonal imbalances (for example, menopause (decrease in the production of sex hormones as the body ages), hyperthyroidism (increased levels of thyroid hormones in the blood)).
- Brain damage, such as:
- encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue);
- violations of cerebral circulation, including atherosclerosis of the vessels (the appearance in the vessels of plaques containing cholesterol - a fat-like substance) of the brain;
- neurosyphilis (brain damage due to syphilis).
- Psycho-emotional disorders (most often neuroses).
- Malocclusion (teeth closing when closing the mouth).
- Mechanical irritation of the tongue with the sharp edge of a decayed tooth, dentures or orthopedic structures (for example, brackets or braces - bite correction devices).
- Intolerance to materials used for filling or prosthetics of teeth.
- Galvanism (the occurrence of an electric current between different metals), for example, when using both metal and gold dentures in the same patient.
LookMedBook reminds you that the sooner you seek help from a specialist, the more chances you have to maintain your health and reduce the risk of complications:
- Analysis of the anamnesis of the disease and complaints (when (how long ago) there were changes in the tongue, pain or burning in the tongue, disturbances in taste sensitivity and other symptoms, with which the patient associates their occurrence).
- Life history analysis. Does the patient have any chronic diseases, are there hereditary (passed from parents to children) diseases, does the patient have bad habits, has he taken any drugs for a long time, have tumors been detected in him, has he been in contact with toxic (poisonous) ) substances.
- Physical examination. The size and shape of the tongue, its color, the presence of plaque, the condition of the surface of the tongue (for example, the presence of deep folds or cracks, areas of smoothness of the papillae, etc.) are determined. The general condition of the patient is assessed, the color of his skin, the size of the liver and spleen, intestinal tenderness on palpation (palpation), blood pressure and pulse are measured.
- The study of scrapings from the surface of the tongue (the goal is to identify microorganisms and determine their sensitivity to drugs) is performed if an infectious lesion of the tongue is suspected.
- Consultations of narrow specialists (dentist, neuropathologist, gastroenterologist, dermatovenereologist, etc.) are performed if necessary to identify the disease or condition that led to language changes.
- Additional research methods are performed according to individual indications to clarify the diagnosis. These include:
- laboratory methods (for example, a general blood and urine test, a biochemical blood test, etc.);
- instrumental methods, for example, ultrasound (ultrasound) of the abdominal organs, fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS - examination of the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum using an optical device).
- It is also possible to consult a gastroenterologist. dentist and endocrinologist.
- The basis of treatment is the treatment of the disease that caused changes in the tongue (for example, surgical and radiation treatment for tumors of the tongue, taking antifungal drugs for candidiasis (an infectious disease caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida), etc.).
- Rational oral hygiene is desirable for any changes in the tongue:
- brushing your teeth with individually selected toothpastes twice a day;
- cleaning the surface of the tongue with a toothbrush or a special scraper if there is plaque on the tongue.
- Rinsing the mouth with anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, decoctions of medicinal herbs - chamomile, calendula, etc. or alkaline solutions (for example, soda)) after each meal. It is indicated for violations of the integrity of the surface of the tongue (for example, with cracks or desquamation - desquamation of the epithelium (surface cells) of the tongue).
In some cases, complications are possible in the form of:
- violations of the pronunciation of words;
- displacement of the teeth (deviations of the teeth from the normal position forward, backward, left or right);
- malocclusion (closing of teeth);
- difficulty or inability to wear a removable denture due to constant trauma to the tongue;
- psychological discomfort (“mental disorder”, that is, an internal state of discomfort), including sleep disorders.
- Compliance with a diet with a restriction of spicy, fatty, fried foods to prevent diseases of the digestive system (for example, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), etc.).
- Quit smoking because it:
- damages the surface layer of oral cavity cells;
- increases the risk of infectious diseases;
- impairs blood flow in the oral cavity due to vasoconstriction, which leads to delayed healing of all changes in the oral cavity;
- impairs blood flow in the digestive organs due to vasoconstriction, which contributes to the development of diseases of these organs.
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Pediatric therapeutic dentistry. Guide to practical exercises: study guide. Elizarova V.M. and others. M. GEOTAR-Media, 2013, 288 pages.
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Some pet owners find a blue tongue on their cat. This is a worrying symptom. It does not belong to a separate disease, but is a sign of some pathologies.
Changing the color of the tongue
The color of the mucous membranes depends on the fullness of the blood with carbon dioxide and oxygen. If there is a deficiency, then the cat's tongue acquires a bluish color. This phenomenon is called cyanosis. If it is long and persistent, then the cat will feel worse and worse - to the point of death. The blue color can become dark, almost black, purple-red.
Why doesn't a blue tongue always indicate illness? A cat can simply lick a blue thing, and the stuck fibers will visually change color. In another case, the animal may accidentally lick blueberry juice or dyes. They will temporarily color the tongue in an unnatural color.
Causes of blue tongue in cats
The tongue takes on unnatural shades due to a number of diseases. One of the causes of cyanosis can be a congenital heart disease. The color of the cat's tongue changes after falling from a great height, chest injuries, dog bites, and inflammation. Other reasons:
- pneumothorax - filling the sternum with air;
- hydrothorax - accumulation of fluid in this area.
In both cases, the cat feels a lack of air. The lungs may stop functioning on the right or left side - partially or completely. If the processes of pneumo- and hydrothorax do not stop, the tongue takes on an increasingly blue tint, and the animal dies from an asthma attack.
Cyanosis (blue tongue in a cat) can develop in minutes or within days. The hue becomes more and more saturated. At the same time, frequent breathing is observed (the mouth of the animal is open at this time) and shortness of breath. Also, the causes of cyanosis can be:
- Diaphragmatic hernia, when a membrane ruptures in the peritoneum and the organs fall into the chest. Due to the displacement, the lungs do not receive enough oxygen in the right amount. This can be determined by examining the cat's tongue, the mucous membranes surrounding it become blue.
- Infectious peritonitis or FIP, viral leukemia (otherwise lymphosarcoma). Under these conditions, fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, the tongue of the animal turns blue.
- Pulmonary edema is one of the most dangerous diseases. In addition to cyanosis, there is a constant strong shortness of breath, anxiety.
- Asthma is accompanied by poor breathing and coughing. Blue tongue and respiratory failure appear with a severe form of the disease.
Often the cause of the appearance of dark blue, almost black spots can be normal pigmentation. However, it may be congenital. The spots increase in volume with age. Fluffy and red cats are more often affected by this defect. Bluish spots can also acquire a brownish tint over time.
When the mucous membranes and tongue turn blue, this often indicates heart disease. Brown or gray plaque on the gums indicates pathologies of the stomach, lungs and intestines. In case of violations of the gastrointestinal tract, food can be thrown back with vomiting, staining the mucous membranes.
The alarm should be beaten only when there are additional negative signs - refusal to eat, lethargy, apathy, etc. However, you cannot do anything with the animal on your own, in any condition it must be shown to the veterinarian.
The strong, long, spiked tongue of cats performs many functions. According to the state of this body, an attentive owner may notice that the cat is sick. For example, if a cat has an ulcer on its tongue, calcivirosis is suspected. Knowing how a healthy cat's tongue should look like, how cats use their tongue in a given situation, why a cat sticks out the tip of its tongue and other useful "little things", the owner understands the pet better.
The cat's tongue, like the human one, consists of many transverse and longitudinal muscles, with the help of which our pets can not only stretch and hide the tongue in the mouth, but also move it in different directions and fold the tongue into a ladle. The latter is especially convenient when drinking - the water lingers in the recess, not splashing out of the mouth.
One of the reasons why a cat sticks out the tip of its tongue is the function of thermoregulation. A wet tongue quickly releases some of the heat accumulated by the cat's body, somewhat easing the pet's condition in extreme heat. If the pet is very hot, the cat breathes heavily with its tongue out. For dogs, this behavior is the norm, but for cats it is a signal that the ambient temperature has reached a critical norm. If you do not help your pet, it is possible.
Although the reason why the cat sticks out the tip of the tongue may be much more banal - the pet has recently eaten or washed, and simply “forgot” to put the tongue in her mouth. Especially often the owners of Persians and exotics notice this - the cat shows its tongue, as if teasing others. It's all about the shortened bones of the skull: the shape of the muzzle is changed by selection, as is the structure of the jaws - the tongue either does not fit in the mouth, or the tip sticks out between the teeth (malocclusion, in which the cat shows the tongue, which normally rests on the inside against tightly interlocked teeth when the mouth is closed ).
An inexperienced owner, especially if he has previously interacted closely with dogs, is always surprised why a cat has a rough tongue. Touches of the cat's tongue can even be unpleasant - the surface of this organ is so hard and prickly. The inhabitants of Ancient Russia did not have the opportunity to examine the cat's tongue close-up, but they had enough tactile sensations to give the cat's tongue the apt nickname "grater". It's all about the many papillae, similar to spikes and growing inwards towards the pharynx. Long “scales” help the cat keep food and water on the surface of the tongue, thoroughly clean the fur coat and remove small litter from the surface of the wool - the dog will never be able to wash itself so cleanly.
Knowing why a cat has a rough tongue, it is easy to imagine what happens to the tinsel or thread that gets into the cat's mouth: the pet cannot spit out the thread (thorns on the tongue that hold a thin foreign object interfere). The cat swallows a thread or tinsel - she simply has nothing left to do. Noticing this, you can not drag the end of the thread: carefully cut off the visible part and give the pet a couple of tablespoons of petroleum jelly.
If you look at the cat's tongue in close-up, you will notice that in addition to the "thorns" it is covered with short "sticks", flat dots and other "growths" - these are also papillae, and they all perform certain functions. In particular, many of them are equipped with taste chemoreceptors, which allows the cat to taste salty, sour and bitter tastes. When examining a cat's tongue under a microscope, scientists were unable to detect receptors that are sensitive to sweet taste, so it is believed that cats do not feel this taste at all. Or they can taste it, but only in high concentration, which is harmful to their health.
The tongue of a cat consists of several groups of muscles that move in different directions. cat tongue is unique in that its surface is covered with what appear to be spines (called papillae) that form a rough surface that acts like a brush when it licks its fur.
The cat's tongue has several functions, such as helping with the cat's daily grooming, removing food debris from the cat's mouth and face, tasting food, and measuring the temperature of food. The tongue is used when swallowing food, as well as drinking with it.
Healthy is pink. Any change in color or shape of the cat's tongue is indicative of a problem that should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Why does a cat have a rough tongue
This is due to the papillae on the surface of the tongue. There are four types of papillae:
Filiform papillae (cone-shaped)- are the most common form of papillae. They grow in the opposite direction to the palate and help the cat in grooming. They are located on the front half of the tongue. And they're the ones that cause the grater feeling when your cat licks you.
Foliate papillae- the largest of all papillae of the cat's tongue. They form two groups on either side of the tongue, in front of the gutter papillae.
fungiform papillae- as the name suggests, they are mushroom-shaped and located on the sides of the tongue.
Gutter papillae- located on the back of the cat's tongue. They are located behind the fungiform papillae in a V-shaped row.
Taste sensations of a cat
The cat's sense of smell is much more developed than ours, but cats have a relatively small number, only 473, compared to humans, who have 9,000. Taste buds are located on the foliate, fungiform, and trough papillae of the tongue, but not on the filiform papillae.
It is not yet clear whether cats can sense. Some people think so, although these sensations are not at all developed compared to the sensations of salty, sour, and bitter.
The cat's tongue is also sensitive to temperature, the preferred temperature is around 30*C. It is useful for owners to know that cats do not like to eat food directly from the refrigerator for this reason.
Diseases of the tongue in a cat
There are several feline diseases that affect the condition of the tongue.
- Glossitis - inflammation of the tongue
- Ulcers - can be caused by some viral infections, the tongue can also affect
- Foreign body - bone fragments can injure the tongue, a thread can be accidentally wound around the tongue.
- Cancer – Cats can get tongue cancer.
Why does a cat stick out its tongue
This happens quite often, as a rule, if the cat licked the fur before, or after sleep. A small part of the tongue remains sticking out of the mouth. This is normal and nothing to worry about - the cat simply forgot to put the tongue back.
In cats with short jaws, such breeds as, or