Glossitis of the tongue in iron deficiency anemia has been described as diffuse or patchy atrophy with tenderness or burning. One cause of iron deficiency anemia is sideropenic dysphagia (Plummer–Vinson or Paterson–Brown–Kelly syndrome) which is also characterized by esophageal webbing and dysphagia. Pernicious anemia is usually caused by autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells. Parietal cells secrete intrinsic factor which is required for the absorption of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency results in megaloblastic anemia and may present as glossitis. The appearance of the tongue in vitamin B12 deficiency is described as "beefy" or "fiery red and sore". There may be
University of Medicine and Health Sciences 2015. ACCM is an international accrediting body listed by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), part of the US Department of Education, as “found to use standards to accredit their medical schools that are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States.” Student organizations include: University of Medicine and Health Sciences The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (also known as UMHS) is a for-profit medical school located in Basseterre, Saint Kitts in the Caribbean. UMHS confers upon its graduates the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The university also has a