Osteoma of the tongue

NONCALCIFIED benign neoplasms are commonly seen on the tongue and are usually located on the lateral borders in the anterior two thirds. The ventral surface and posterior third of the tongue are rare sites for benign neoplasms. Benign tumors of the tongue containing cartilage and so-called mixed tumors containing cartilage, fibrous connective tissue, and bone have also been reported. 1-7 True osteomas of the tongue, however, are exceedingly rare lesions and, in reviewing the literature, only eleven cases have been reported. 8-18 A 12th case is to be presented (the table). In all but one case, the patients were females. The oldest patient was 39 and the youngest 11. With the exception of the 11 year old, the remainder of the patients were in their 20's and 30's. The average age of the patients was 25 1/2 years. The most common presenting complaint was difficulty in swallowing although