TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Black Hairy Tongue A1 - Jauch, Edward C. A1 - Valdez, J. Amadeo A2 - Knoop, Kevin J. A2 - Stack, Lawrence B. A2 - Storrow, Alan B. A2 - Thurman, R. Jason Y1 - 2021 N1 - T2 - The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e AB - Black hairy tongue (BHT) represents a benign reactive process characterized by hyperplasia and dark pigmentation of the tongue’s filiform papillae. The elongated filiform papillae may reach up to 2 cm in length and vary in actual degree of pigmentation from light tan to black. Predisposing factors include excessive smoking, gastroesophageal reflux, poor oral hygiene, chemotherapy, and the use of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics. Pigment from consumed food, beverages, and tobacco products stains the entrapped food debris and desquamated papillary keratin. Some antibiotics may alter normal oral microflora and promote the growth of chromogenic organisms, also contributing to the tongue’s discoloration. The darkly pigmented filament-like papillae give the tongue a black, hairy appearance. Males are more often affected than females; this condition very rarely occurs in children. Patients with BHT frequently note alterations of taste perception and fetid breath. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/18 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181040735 ER -