Common lesions

Common lesions not always indicate diseases. However, some of these conditions have a semiological meaning for Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture.

Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue

Geographic tongue (Benign migratory glossitis). Note the irregularly shaped reddish areas of depapillation surrounded by a narrow zone of regenerating papilae which is whiter than the surrounding tongue surface.

Fissured tongue

Fissured tongue

Fissured tongue. Note the longitudinal fissures on the dorsum tongue, which is more prominent during dehydration.

Hairy tongue

Hairy tongue

Hairy tongue. Note the hypertrophy of filiform papillae of the tongue forming a thick matted layer on the dorsum of tongue.

Herpes labialis

Herpes labialis

Recurrent herpes labialis. Note the small ulcers surrounded by oedema on the vermilion border of the upper lip.

Apthous stomatitis

Apthous stomatitis

Recurrent apthous stomatitis. Note the shallow ulcer on the left buccal mucosa with surrounding erythematous mucosa.

Familial gingival hyperplasia

Familial gingival hyperplasia

Familial gingival hyperplasia. Note the bulbous enlargement of the gingivae and interdental papillae in this 57-year-old man. His sister and aunt were also similarly affected.

Stomatitis nicotina palati

Stomatitis nicotina palati

Stomatitis nicotina palati. Note the diffuse greyish-white appearance of the hard palate in this 42-year-old man who has been a heavy bidi smoker for the past 20 years. The palatal minor salivary glands appear as white umblicated nodules with red centers which are the orifices of the glands.

Traumatic ulcer

Traumatic ulcer

Traumatic ulcer on the right lower lip, due to trauma caused by the incisal edge of the upper central incisor tooth.

Chronic atrophic candidiasis

Chronic atrophic candidiasis

Figure A: Note the central papillary atrophy in the dorsum of tongue.
Figure B: Note the erosive area in the palate.

Guide the patient accordingly, if you find any of them.


Learn how to identify anatomic variations and oral lesions