Geographic Tongue — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Migrating areas of erythema with white-yellow raised borders on the dorsal tongue
Geographic tongue (erythema migrans, benign migratory glossitis) presents as multiple erythematous patches with white-yellow raised, serpiginous borders on the dorsal and lateral tongue. The erythematous areas represent desquamation of filiform papillae, while the white borders represent hyperkeratotic epithelium. The lesions characteristically change position over days to weeks (migratory pattern). It is benign, affects approximately 1-3% of the population, and is associated with fissured tongue and psoriasis.
Reference: Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016