
The genioglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue, which contributes to the tongue's movement and shape. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve and supplied blood by the external carotid artery. The genioglossus plays a crucial role in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract, which is susceptible to involuntary collapse. This muscle is electrically involved in generating maximal sniff nasal inspiratory and expiratory pressures. It also influences the hyoid bone and can affect the function of the temporomandibular joint. The name genioglossus derives from the Greek words geneion meaning chin and glossa meaning tongue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | One of the four [extrinsic muscles] of the tongue |
| Origin | The median plane of the tongue |
| Attachment | The [oral surface of the mandible] |
| Function | [Protrusion] and [depression of the tongue] |
| Innervation | [Hypoglossal nerve] |
| Blood supply | [Lingual artery] with contributions from the tonsillar artery |
| Embryological relationship | The [base of the skull (occipital bone)] and the [hyoid bone] |
| Role | Enlarging and [stabilizing the upper portion of the respiratory tract] |
| Etymology | From the Greek [γένειον (geneion), meaning "chin", and [γλῶσσα (glōssa)</co: 8>, meaning "tongue" |
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What You'll Learn

The genioglossus is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue
The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, as are all muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus. The muscle receives its blood supply from the external carotid artery, specifically from the sublingual branch of the lingual artery. The left and right genioglossus muscles protrude the tongue and deviate it towards the opposite side. When acting together, the muscles protrude the tongue directly forward and depress the centre of the tongue at its back.
The genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract. This section of the respiratory tract is susceptible to involuntary collapse, and so the genioglossus is important in sleep apnea patients. The muscle also responds to airway occlusive stimuli, such as negative suction pressure, high carbon dioxide levels, and low oxygen levels, by increasing its activity. Therefore, the genioglossus is considered a major contributor to airway function and dysfunction in OSA.
The name "genioglossus" comes from the Greek words "γένειον" (geneion), meaning "chin", and "γλῶσσα" (glōssa), meaning "tongue".
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It contributes to the tongue's movement and shape
The genioglossus is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is a large, thick muscle that contributes significantly to the tongue's movement and shape. The name 'genioglossus' is derived from the Greek words 'geneion' meaning 'chin' and 'glossa' meaning 'tongue'. The genioglossus is one of four extrinsic muscles of the tongue, the others being the hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. These extrinsic muscles are all in close proximity to one another and tend to function as a unit.
The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, and its blood supply comes from the lingual artery, with contributions from the tonsillar artery. The muscle originates within the median plane of the tongue and attaches to the oral surface of the mandible, caudal to the symphysis. When the genioglossus contracts, it protrudes the tongue and pulls the basihyoid bone rostrally. The left and right genioglossus muscles protrude the tongue anteriorly out of the mouth and deviate it towards the opposite side. When acting together, these muscles protrude the tongue directly forward and depress the centre of the tongue at its back.
The genioglossus plays a crucial role in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract, specifically the section that is susceptible to involuntary collapse. This is why the muscle is essential in the context of sleep apnea patients. The muscle also responds to airway occlusive stimuli, such as negative suction pressure, high carbon dioxide levels, and low oxygen levels, by increasing its activity. Therefore, the genioglossus is considered a major contributor to airway function and dysfunction in OSA.
The genioglossus muscle can also influence the hyoid bone, and its size can impact the function of the temporomandibular joint. The muscle contributes to the ability to express phonemes and is essential for the proper functioning of the tongue.
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The muscle plays a role in enlarging and stabilising the upper respiratory tract
The genioglossus is a large, thick extrinsic muscle of the tongue that contributes significantly to the shape of the tongue. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve and receives blood from the external carotid artery. The genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in protruding and depressing the tongue.
The muscle also plays an important part in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract. This specific section of the upper respiratory tract is susceptible to involuntary collapse, making the muscle's role vital in sleep apnea patients. The genioglossus muscle can influence the hyoid bone, and its size can impact the function of the temporomandibular joint.
The genioglossus muscle's ability to stabilise and enlarge the upper airway is particularly notable during sleep. When the genioglossus and geniohyoideus muscles relax, especially during REM sleep, there is a risk of obstructive sleep apnea. However, by pulling the mandible forward, the airway space can be maximised, preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway.
The genioglossus muscle is also responsive to airway occlusive stimuli, such as negative suction pressure, high carbon dioxide levels, and low oxygen levels. It increases its activity in response to these stimuli, contributing to airway function and dysfunction in OSA. The muscle's activity varies during obstructive events and is influenced by the sleep-wake state.
In summary, the genioglossus muscle's role in enlarging and stabilising the upper respiratory tract is essential, particularly in maintaining airway patency during sleep and in individuals with OSA.
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It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve
The genioglossus is a large, thick extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is one of four such muscles, the others being the hyoglossus (chondroglossus), styloglossus, and the palatoglossus. The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, as are all muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus.
The hypoglossal nerve plays a crucial role in the function of the genioglossus muscle. When the hypoglossal nerve is electrically stimulated, it results in clear improvements in airway patency. This is particularly important for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During sleep, the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles relax, causing the airway to collapse and obstruct breathing. This is why sleep apnea patients often experience episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep.
The genioglossus muscle is supplied blood by the external carotid artery and the lingual artery, with contributions from the tonsillar artery. It arises from the mandibular symphysis and inserts onto the body of the hyoid bone and the entire length of the tongue. This muscle contributes significantly to the shape of the tongue and enables protrusion and depression of the tongue.
The genioglossus muscle also plays a role in enlarging and stabilizing the upper portion of the respiratory tract. It can influence the hyoid bone, and its size can affect the function of the temporomandibular joint. Additionally, the genioglossus muscle is involved in the generation of maximal sniff nasal inspiratory and nasal expiratory pressures. It is spontaneously active during wakefulness, with greater activity during inspiration than expiration.
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The muscle is supplied blood by the external carotid artery
The genioglossus muscle is a large, thick extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is one of four such muscles, the others being the hyoglossus (chondroglossus), styloglossus, and the palatoglossus. All of these extrinsic muscles are in close proximity to one another and tend to function as a unit. The genioglossus muscle contributes significantly to the shape of the tongue. It arises from the mandibular symphysis and inserts onto the body of the hyoid bone and the entire length of the tongue.
The genioglossus muscle plays an essential role in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract. This section of the upper respiratory tract is susceptible to involuntary collapse, so the muscle is very important for sleep apnea patients. The muscle can influence the hyoid bone, and its size can affect the function of the temporomandibular joint. The muscle also contributes to the ability to express phonemes.
The genioglossus muscle is supplied blood by the external carotid artery. This blood supply is indirect, supplied to the sublingual branch of the lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. The lingual artery receives contributions from the tonsillar artery.
The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, as are all muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus. The left and right genioglossus muscles protrude the tongue (anteriorly, out of the mouth) and deviate it towards the opposite side. When acting together, the muscles protrude the tongue directly forward and depress the centre of the tongue at its back.
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Frequently asked questions
The genioglossus muscle is a large, thick extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is one of four such muscles, the others being the hyoglossus (chondroglossus), styloglossus, and the palatoglossus.
The genioglossus muscle contributes to the movement and shape of the tongue. It is involved in sticking the tongue out and depressing the centre of the tongue at its back. It also plays a role in enlarging and stabilising the upper portion of the respiratory tract.
The name "genioglossus" comes from the Greek words "γένειον" (geneion), meaning "chin", and "γλῶσσα" (glōssa), meaning "tongue".










































