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Bumps near back of tongue
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An_247371 posted:
Last night I noticed multiple red bumps near the back of my tongue. They don't give me pain, but they're not comfortable either. Is this normal or do I have something wrong? I smoked marijuana frequently this past summer

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2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Bumps near back of tongueLast night I noticed multiple red bumps near the back of my tongue. They don't give me pain, but they're not comfortable either. Is this normal or do I have something wrong? I smoked marijuana frequently this past summer<br /><br /><img src=http://i.imgur.com/U5WIq.jpg class=post_img /> class=post_img /&gt;
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An_247421 responded:
have the same thing but its been going for days since i stopped smoking and my breath smells anyone got any idea please help
Report This| Share this:Bumps near back of tongue<i>have the same thing but its been going for days since i stopped smoking and my breath smells anyone got any idea please help</i>
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Gwen Cohen Brown, DDS, FAAOMP responded:
Hi An_247371,

Although I am not able to diagnose online I do not believe that the bumps you are seeing on the back of your tongue are from smoking.?

The top of the tongue normally has three types of papilla. The circumvallate papilla are found in a V shape at the back of the tongue, are typically the size of a pencil eraser and contain hundreds of taste buds. The fungiform papilla are the small (1 - 2 mm.) mushroom shaped bumps that are distributed evenly over the top of the tongue - from the tip to the back of the tongue - and they also contain taste buds. The filliform papilla are the little hair like projections distributed evenly over the top of the tongue. The filliform papilla are made of keratin (like hair) and they protect the surface of the tongue.

The bumps on the back of your tongue should be biopsied to rule out a viral origin (like a wart) as they are not consistent with the size or distribution pattern of the typical papilla seen on the tongue.

Please remember that this is only a clinical impression and not a diagnosis.

I suggest that you see an oral surgeon and that the biopsy be sent to a pathologist familiar with oral pathology.

I hope that this helps.

Dr. Gwen Cohen Brown
Report This| Share this:Bumps near back of tongueHi An_247371,<br><br>Although I am not able to diagnose online I do not believe that the bumps you are seeing on the back of your tongue are from smoking.?<br><br>The top of the tongue normally has three types of papilla. The circumvallate papilla are found in a V shape at the back of the tongue, are typically the size of a pencil eraser and contain hundreds of taste buds. The fungiform papilla are the small (1 - 2 mm.) mushroom shaped bumps that are distributed evenly over the top of the tongue - from the tip to the back of the tongue - and they also contain taste buds. The filliform papilla are the little hair like projections distributed evenly over the top of the tongue. The filliform papilla are made of keratin (like hair) and they protect the surface of the tongue.<br><br>The bumps on the back of your tongue should be biopsied to rule out a viral origin (like a wart) as they are not consistent with the size or distribution pattern of the typical papilla seen on the tongue.<br><br>Please remember that this is only a clinical impression and not a diagnosis.<br><br>I suggest that you see an oral surgeon and that the biopsy be sent to a pathologist familiar with oral pathology.<br><br>I hope that this helps.<br><br>Dr. Gwen Cohen Brown
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