title: The effect of long standing chronic mechanical irritation on the tongue of rats.
abstract: The effect of long standing mechanical irritation of the tongue was studied in 100 young rats. This was effected by the protruding end of a twisted wire, ligated around the lower first molar and directed toward the later-ventral aspect of the tongue on one side, while the other side served as control. Groups of rats were killed after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and the tongues were examined grossly and microscopically. Fibrous hyperplasia was observed in 48% of tongues in the 3-month group and increased to 79% in the 12-month group. Microscopically, epithelial changes were noted which included ulceration acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. In no instance was dyskeratosis or any other malignant change noted.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006965:Hyperplasia; D051381:Rats; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology