Site icon Epomedicine

Hematological Signs – Angular Stomatitis and Atrophic Glossitis

ANGULAR STOMATITIS/CHEILITIS

Definition: Maculopapular and vesicular lesions grouped on the skin at the corners (or ‘angles’) of the mouth and the mucocutaneous junction. It is made worse by licking the lips.

Causes: 

1. Oral candidiasis

2. Poorly fitting dentures

3. Bacterial infection

4. Less common

Angular cheilitis and Atrophic glossitis

ATROPHIC GLOSSITIS

Definition: The absence or flattening of the filiform papillae of the tongue – the tongue appears smooth and erythematous “beefy”. In later stages, there may be shallow ulceration.

Causes: 

  1. Associated with micronutrient deficiency, including:
    • Iron deficiency
    • Vitamin B12 deficiency
    • Folic acid deficiency
    • Thiamine deficiency
    • Niacin deficiency
    • Vitamin E deficiency
  2. Amyloidosis
  3. Sjögren’s syndrome

As cells of the tongue papillae have a high rate of turnover, deficiencies in micronutrients needed for cell proliferation or cell membrane stabilisation may lead to depapillation. Nutritional deficiency is also thought to change the pattern of microbial flora, thus contributing to glossitis.

Exit mobile version