Which type of papilla is involved in oral hairy leukoplakia?

Which type of papilla is involved in oral hairy leukoplakia?

• A. Fungiform
• B. Foliate
• C. Filiform
• D. Circumvallate

Answer: (C)

Oral hairy leukoplakia is primarily associated with the filiform papillae. This condition often arises due to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and is particularly common in immunocompromised individuals. The appearance of hairy leukoplakia is characterized by white patches on the lateral borders of the tongue, where the filiform papillae become hypertrophied. This leads to the distinctive "hairy" appearance, resulting from the retention of keratinized epithelium amidst a viral infection. Filiform papillae are responsible for the tongue's texture and play a role in the mechanical processing of food. They do not contain taste buds, unlike fungiform and circumvallate papillae, which are involved in taste sensation. Foliate papillae, on the other hand, are also involved in taste but are less commonly associated with lesions like oral hairy leukoplakia. The nature of the filiform papillae and their abundance on the dorsum of the tongue makes them the specific papillae involved in this condition.

Oral hairy leukoplakia is primarily associated with the filiform papillae. This condition often arises due to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and is particularly common in immunocompromised individuals. The appearance of hairy leukoplakia is characterized by white patches on the lateral borders of the tongue, where the filiform papillae become hypertrophied. This leads to the distinctive "hairy" appearance, resulting from the retention of keratinized epithelium amidst a viral infection.

Filiform papillae are responsible for the tongue's texture and play a role in the mechanical processing of food. They do not contain taste buds, unlike fungiform and circumvallate papillae, which are involved in taste sensation. Foliate papillae, on the other hand, are also involved in taste but are less commonly associated with lesions like oral hairy leukoplakia. The nature of the filiform papillae and their abundance on the dorsum of the tongue makes them the specific papillae involved in this condition.