Candidal infection of the tongue with nonspecific inflammation of the palate.

A retrospective study of ten patients with median rhomboid glossitis (MRG) revealed the presence of a nonspecific inflammatory reaction of varying degrees of severity in the overlying palatal mucosa. Clinical records and photographs indicated that the palatal reactions physically approximated the underlying glossal lesions, suggesting a relationship between these entities. The nature of the relationship is uncertain, but it may involve a localized infection of the palatal mucosa by Candida species, from the MRG. Alternatively, irritation by soluble, possibly Candida-related factors from the MRG that are applied repeatedly to the palatal mucosa during swallowing may be responsible.