Diseases of tongue (K14)
The ICD-10 code section K14 covers a range of diseases and conditions affecting the tongue. These codes are used to specifically identify and classify tongue disorders such as glossitis, geographic tongue, and others for medical diagnosis and documentation.
This section includes codes like K14.0 for glossitis, which may also be known as acute or chronic glossitis or vitamin deficiency glossitis, helping coders link these common terms to the official code. K14.1 denotes geographic tongue, recognized by names such as atrophy of tongue papillae. Other conditions like median rhomboid glossitis (K14.2), hypertrophy of tongue papillae (K14.3, with synonyms such as black hairy tongue), and glossodynia (burning mouth syndrome, K14.6) are also included. The code K14.8 is reserved for various other tongue diseases, covering a broad spectrum of symptoms and findings including paralysis, enlargement, and pigmentation issues. K14.9 is for unspecified tongue diseases when a precise diagnosis is not available. This system aids healthcare professionals and coders in accurately capturing tongue-related diagnoses for proper care and reporting.
Instructional Notations
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence F10
- exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z77.22
- history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
- occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z57.31
- tobacco dependence F17
- tobacco use Z72.0
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- erythroplakia K13.29
- focal epithelial hyperplasia K13.29
- leukoedema of tongue K13.29
- leukoplakia of tongue K13.21
- hairy leukoplakia K13.3
- macroglossia congenital Q38.2
- submucous fibrosis of tongue K13.5
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
A group of painful oral symptoms associated with a burning or similar sensation. There is usually a significant organic component with a degree of functional overlay; it is not limited to the psychophysiologic group of disorders.
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
Glossitis, Benign Migratory
An idiopathic disorder of the tongue characterized by the loss of filiform papillae leaving reddened areas of circinate macules bound by a white band. The lesions heal, then others erupt.
Glossoptosis
Posterior displacement of the TONGUE toward the PHARYNX. It is often a feature in syndromes such as in PIERRE ROBIN SYNDROME and DOWN SYNDROME and associated with AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION during sleep (OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEAS).
Ludwig's Angina
Severe cellulitis of the submaxillary space with secondary involvement of the perimandibular spaces. It usually results from infection in the lower molar area or from an infection following a penetrating injury to the MOUTH FLOOR.
Mouth Floor
The area of the mouth beneath the TONGUE.
Pierre Robin Syndrome
Congenital malformation characterized by MICROGNATHIA or RETROGNATHIA; GLOSSOPTOSIS and CLEFT PALATE. The mandibular abnormalities often result in difficulties in sucking and swallowing. The syndrome may be isolated or associated with other syndromes (e.g., ANDERSEN SYNDROME; CAMPOMELIC DYSPLASIA). Developmental mis-expression of SOX9 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR gene on chromosome 17q and its surrounding region is associated with the syndrome.
