[6] The clinical appearance is considerably varied in both the orientation, number, depth and length of the fissure pattern.

Sometimes there is a large central furrow, with smaller fissures branching perpendicularly.

Other patterns may show a mostly dorsolateral position of the fissures (i.e. sideways running grooves on the tongue's upper surface).

Fissured tongue is seen in Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (along with facial nerve paralysis and granulomatous cheilitis).

The condition may be seen at any age, but generally affects older people more frequently.