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Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:1275-1280.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Diagnosis: Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue.

MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS

Examination of the skin biopsy specimen revealed numerous submucosal melanophages, without inflammation within the fungiform papillae, consistent with a diagnosis of pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue. The pigment within the melanophages was positive for melanin on Fontana-Masson staining but was negative for iron on Prussian blue staining.

DISCUSSION

The surface of the tongue contains 3 types of papillae: filiform, fungiform, and circumvallate. Filiform papillae, which are the most numerous, appear as short, hairlike projections that are evenly distributed on the dorsum of the tongue. Fungiform papillae are larger, flatter, and concentrated mainly on the anterior and lateral aspects. Circumvallate papillae, which are the largest but least numerous type of papillae, are found toward the posterior of the tongue.¹

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue were first described by Leonard² in 1905. Classic features include slowly expanding patches of pointillistic hyperpigmentation, which are usually most prominent on the anterior and lateral . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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