A patient has multiple deep grooves and furrows on the dorsum of the tongue, is asymptomatic, and it is often seen together with geographic tongue. This is:

Fissured tongue is a benign, usually asymptomatic anatomic variant of grooves and furrows on the dorsum, frequently associated with geographic tongue (and with Down syndrome and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome). Advise tongue brushing to remove trapped debris; no treatment is needed.Other options: SCC is an indurated non-healing ulcer or mass; median rhomboid glossitis is a midline depapillated red patch; hairy leukoplakia is a white lateral-tongue plaque (EBV, immunocompromise).Key exam takeaway: Fissured tongue = benign grooves, often with geographic tongue; reassure and encourage tongue cleaning.