[Median rhomboid glossitis--change of inflammation origin or developmental anomaly?]

The etiology and pathogenesis of median rhomboid glossitis have been subjects of controversial discussion for a long time. In the past it was thought to be a developmental defect involving the tongue. This condition was believed to have been caused by the failure of the embriologic tuberculum impair to be covered by the lateral processes of the tongue. In the recent years the possible role of Candida albicans has been stressed. It is proposed that Actinomyces like Candida induces pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the mucosa of the tongue and inflammatory hyperplasia of the underlying connecting tissue, resulting in the characteristic elevated lesion. In the paper we present a case of 63 years old female with median rhomboid glossitis and methods of its treatment. The importance of tobacco smoking and denture wearing in the etiology of median rhomboid glossitis has been evaluated.