HAIRY TONGUE Meaning and
Definition
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Hairy tongue refers to a condition characterized by the abnormal growth and appearance of hair-like projections on the tongue's surface. This condition is also known as lingua villosa. While typically harmless, it can be aesthetically alarming and cause discomfort or mild irritation in some cases.
Hairy tongue occurs when the tiny, finger-like papillae on the tongue's surface fail to shed as expected. Normally, these papillae grow continuously, but they are worn down through daily activities like eating and drinking, thus maintaining a relatively smooth texture. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, certain medications, tobacco or alcohol use, dry mouth, or a fungal infection can disrupt this process, leading to the papillae not shedding properly and accumulating debris. Consequently, bacteria, fungi, food particles, or other substances can get trapped on the elongated papillae, creating a fuzzy or hairy appearance on the tongue.
Symptoms of hairy tongue may include an unusual coating on the tongue (ranging from white, yellow, brown, or black), a hairy texture, bad breath (halitosis), a metallic taste in the mouth, or a gagging sensation. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing of the tongue or using tongue scrapers, can help prevent hairy tongue. In some cases, medical intervention may be required, especially if the condition becomes bothersome or persistent.
Although hairy tongue might be concerning in appearance, it is generally a benign condition that can be managed through proper oral care techniques and addressing any underlying factors contributing to its development.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HAIRY TONGUE
- gairy tongue
- bairy tongue
- nairy tongue
- jairy tongue
- uairy tongue
- yairy tongue
- hziry tongue
- hsiry tongue
- hwiry tongue
- hqiry tongue
- haury tongue
- hajry tongue
- hakry tongue
- haory tongue
- ha9ry tongue
- ha8ry tongue
- haiey tongue
- haidy tongue
- haify tongue
Etymology of HAIRY TONGUE
The term "hairy tongue" is a medical colloquialism used to describe a condition called "black hairy tongue". The etymology of this phrase can be broken down as follows:
1. Tongue: The word "tongue" comes from the Old English word "tunge", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "tungon" meaning "organ of speech". This usage originated as early as the 9th century.
2. Hairy: The word "hairy" comes from the Middle English word "heeri" or "heri", which is derived from the Old English word "hǣrian". It relates to hair or having hair-like projections. It has been used in the context of describing the tongue as early as the 17th century with the specific condition of "black hairy tongue" becoming more widely recognized in the 20th century.
Similar spelling word for HAIRY TONGUE
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