Black Hairy Tongue
A benign, temporary condition in which the filiform papillae of the tongue dorsum undergo elongation and pigmentation to a brown-black colour, typically associated with antibiotic use, smoking, or poor oral hygiene.
Full Definition
Black hairy tongue (lingua nigra villosa) results from defective desquamation and elongation of filiform papillae, which become colonised by chromogenic bacteria and sometimes Candida species, imparting the characteristic brown to black discolouration. Common precipitants include broad-spectrum antibiotics, tobacco, excessive tea or coffee consumption, and bismuth-containing preparations. The condition is visually alarming but clinically benign and reversible on removal of the causative factor. Editors should take care not to conflate this with hairy leukoplakia, which has a virology-related aetiology and a white rather than dark appearance.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with hairy leukoplakia (EBV-associated, white, lateral tongue). The formal Latin synonym 'lingua nigra villosa' is rarely used in modern clinical text.
In Context
- "Black hairy tongue developed following the patient's third course of broad-spectrum antibiotics in six months." — Case report
- "Editors must not substitute 'black hairy tongue' with 'hairy leukoplakia'; the two conditions are aetiologically and clinically distinct." — Editorial annotation