ICD-10 Code K14.5 – Plicated tongue (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K14.5 – Plicated tongue
What it is
K14.5 identifies plicated tongue, a benign tongue condition marked by grooves or folds on the surface. It is usually a descriptive finding rather than a disease by itself.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. You may see a tongue with multiple fissures, folds, or furrows on inspection, sometimes described as grooved or furrowed.
When to use this code
Use K14.5 when the provider documents plicated tongue, fissured tongue, or a similar folded tongue appearance as the diagnosis. Code it when the finding is clinically noted and not better explained by another documented tongue disorder. If the record is unclear, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific tongue pain, coating, or inflammation without documented plicated tongue. If the tongue finding is part of another diagnosed condition, follow that documentation instead.
Coding tip
Code the exact tongue morphology documented by the provider, and do not assume plicated tongue from a general oral exam note.