Diagnosis: Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue
Description: Dotty pigmentation of the tongue.
Morphology: Hyperpigmentation
Site: Tongue
Sex: M
Age: 20
Type: Clinical
Submitted By: Nameer Al-Sudany
Differential DiagnosisHistory: A young adult man complained of an asymptomatic dotty brownish pigmentation of the dorsum of the tongue of many years duration. Dorsally, the tongue has three types of papillae: filliform, fungiform, and circumvallate papillae. Fungiform papillae may show physiologic, well demarcated, symmetric pigmentation of the tips of the papillae. This is usually noted in persons with a darker natural complexion and in women who are pregnant or on hormone replacement therapy.