Sebaceous glands in the tongue.

Abstract

THE SEBACEOUS glands are prominent adnexal components of the skin, which are normally found either closely associated with hair follicles to form the pilosebaceous apparatuses, or are found independently, but nevertheless in areas of the skin where follicles are present in greater or smaller numbers. Their existence in such locations as the mucocutaneous areas and the buccal mucosa (Fordyce's condition) is well known, but their occasional presence has been recorded in many other ectopic sites. Ectopic sebaceous glands have been reported on the mucous membrane of the male genitalia,*on the mucous membrane of the female genitalia,† in the cervix uteri,‡ in the lacrimal caruncle,§ and in a polyp of the anterior commissure of the larynx.18Very rare cases of sebaceous cysts and sebaceous gland carcinoma, in such unusual sites as the palms and soles, are on record.‖ Recently the presence of sebaceous glands apparently arising from