Soft tissue osteoma is a rare entity having a strong predilection for the head and neck region, mainly posterior region of the tongue. The so-called lingual osteoma is mostly manifested as an asymptomatic exophytic lesion. It can be diagnosed by physical or radiological examinations.

We represent a patient with undiagnosed lingual osteoma, accidentally detected during laryngoscopy for intubation for a gynecologic surgery. General anesthesia was planned for a 52 year-old undergoing gynecologic surgery. Before surgery a laryngoscopy was performed for intubation. During this procedure a pedunculated mass was seen in the posterior region of the tongue. Although the pathogenesis and terminology is controversial, surgical excision is the preferred treatment modality. We aimed to present an osseos lesion in tongue, to review the literature in regard to relevant clinical, histological features and to discuss the pathogenesis and terminology involved.