Geographic tongue
JHEE-uh-gra-fik TUHNG n.
A condition in which red splotches give the tongue a maplike appearance.
Some people see Jesus on toast, others see maps on tongues. While the former can be chalked up to an illusion, the latter points to a real medical condition.
Tiny bumps called papillae cover the tongue. Losing some of these bumps creates geographic tongue, or benign migratory glossitis, with islands of red, inflamed splotches. The condition affects 2 percent of people. Aside from a little discomfort, it’s harmless.