Glossodynia is characterized by burning, pain and/or other dysaesthesias of the tongue and oral mucosa. Usually, pathological alterations of the oral mucosa are lacking. Latent depressions are the major cause, however other psychic disturbances may also occur. Local changes and systemic diseases are extremely rare causes of glossodynia. Treatment must be aetiological. Non-indicated substitution therapy of suspected but unproved deficiency states must be avoided.