The document discusses the characteristics of the tongue as part of a physical examination, noting aspects such as color, texture, and size. It highlights the link between vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia, describing the tongue's appearance in such cases as 'beefy red' due to glossitis, which is inflammation of the tongue. Glossitis results in swelling, color changes, and a smooth appearance of the tongue's surface.

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Beefy-Red TonguePROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL)
PREPARED BY: MUHAMMAD ARIFF B. MAHDZUB
BACHELOR MEDICINE AND SURGERY (MBBS)
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SHAHPUTRA, KUANTAN

2. On physical examination, there are several
characteristics of the tongue that should be noted:
• Color
– Pink-red on dorsal and ventral surfaces. The ventral
surface may have some visible vasculature.
• Texture
– Rough dorsal surface owing to papillae, which have three
types. There should be no hairs, furrows, or ulceration.
• Size
– Should fit comfortably in mouth, tip against lower incisors.
Sublingual glands should not be displaced.

3. • Pernicious anemia is usually caused
by autoimune destruction of gastric parietal
cells. Parietal cells secrete intrinsic
factor which is required for the absorption of
vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency results
in megaloblastic anemia and may present as
glossitis

4. • The appearance of the tongue in vitamin B12
deficiency is described as "beefy" or "fiery red
and sore"

5. • What is GLOSSITISSS??!
Glossitis is an inflammation of the tongue
that causes it to swell in size, change into
different shades of red, and develop a smooth
appearance on the surface