Introduction
The oral cavity performs the following functions; firstly, entrance of food in the alimentary canal and secondly passage of inspired air for breathing. Both the above process are necessary for normal function of our body. Also, the oral cavity provides the site for the modification and production of speech. The oral cavity is oval in shape and is bound by lips interiorly. oropharynx posteriorly, cheeks laterally, the floor of the mouth inferiorly, and the palate superiorly. The oropharynx begins superiorly at the junction between the hard palate and the soft palate, and inferiorly behind the papillae of the tongue.The bony base of the oral cavity is represented by the maxillary and mandibular bones.
Tongue
The tongue is a mobile and muscular organ that lies within the mouth and extends partly to the throat. It’s a complex structure involving interlacing muscles, nerves and blood supply. Tongue helps in eating taste, swallowing, speech and even breathing.
There are four different types of taste buds which are present on tongue:
- Filiform: Located on the front two-thirds of your tongue, filiform papillae are thread-like in appearance. Unlike other types of papillae, filiform papillae don’t contain taste buds.
- Fungiform: These papillae get their name from their mushroom-like shape. Located mostly on the sides and tip of your tongue, fungiform papillae consist of approximately 1,600 taste buds.
- Circumvallate: The small bumps on the back of your tongue are the circumvallate papillae. They appear larger than the other types of papillae, and they contain approximately 250 taste buds.
- Foliate: Located on each side of the back portion of your tongue, the foliate papillae look like rough folds of tissue. Each person has about 20 foliate papillae, which contain several hundred taste buds.
According to Ayurveda
In Vataj Jiwakantika, the Vata Dosha gets Dhusta thus leading to cracks on the tongue and the person loses the sense of taste treatment of the Devdhoop,
wax, Devdharu paste and Kwath in the form of the Pitchu is placed on the tongue thus helps in reducing the symptoms. While Pitaj Jiwakantak includes discoloration of the tongue i.e. the tongue becomes of the color of the yellow, red colour as the blood the tongue is rubbed till the blood comes out of it after which the patient is given honey followed by Gandush and Nasya.
Acharya Susrutha and Acharya Vaghabhatta have mentioned of the glossitis in comparison on Vataj and Pittaja Jiwakantaka where they have mentioned about the symptoms and the treatment of Vataj Jiwakantaka and Khapaj Jiwakantaka.
According to Modern Science
Glossitis is the condition in which the tongue gets inflamed and becomes smooth. This is due to the loss of the papillae on the surface of the tongue. Clinical features include symptoms may appear quickly or slowly over time. Glossitis includes swelling of the tongue, smooth appearance of the tongue due to pernicious anaemia caused by the deficiency of vitamin B12, change in the colour of tongue along with sore and tender tongue which further leads to difficulty in chewing, swallowing and speaking.
Some of the cause of the glossitis include bacterial or viral infections (including herpes simplex), poor hydration and low saliva in the mouth promote rapid growth of bacteria. Dry mouth when the glands that produce saliva are destroyed. mechanical irritation or injury from the burns, rough edges of the teeth or the dental applications, or other trauma may lead to glossitis. Exposure to the irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, hot foods or spices. Allergic reactions to the tooth paste. mouth fresheners, dyes, confectioneries, plastic in dentures or certain blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors) administration of ganglion blockers like tubocurarine, mecamylamine. Also disorders like iron deficiency anaemia, pernicious anaemia, vitamin B deficiency, oral lichen planus, aphthous ulcer, pemphigus anaemia, syphilis.
There are a few different types of glossitis, including:
- Atrophic glossitis: Also called Hunter glossitis, atrophic glossitis happens when you lose a lot of papillae (the tiny bumps on your tongue that contain taste buds). When this occurs, your tongue may look smooth and glossy.