An otherwise healthy 24-year-old man presents with a painful ulcer on his tongue. The lesion is oval and measures approximately 3 mm in diameter. The lesion was not preceded by a blister. This problem has been cyclic (once per month), and the lesions have healed in about 1 week. He most likely has:

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Minor aphthae, also known as canker sores, are characterized by small, painful ulcers on the oral mucosa that heal spontaneously within a week or two. They often recur cyclically, as described in the patient's case. The absence of a preceding blister helps differentiate it from conditions like secondary herpes.

An Otherwise Healthy 24-Year-Old Man Presents with a Painful Ulcer