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The palatoglossus muscle, also known as musculus palatoglossus, is one of the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue. It is also associated with the soft palate and is involved in various functions, including swallowing, speech, and breathing. The palatoglossus muscle is unique among the tongue muscles as it is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X), while other tongue muscles are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). This muscle plays a crucial role in separating the oral cavity from the oropharynx and elevating the posterior portion of the tongue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle type | Extrinsic |
| Muscle group | One of four extrinsic muscles of the tongue |
| Muscle function | Elevates the root of the tongue, closes the oropharyngeal isthmus, aids initiation of swallowing, prevents spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx |
| Innervation | Cranial nerve (CN) X/XI complex, Vagus nerve, Pharyngeal plexus |
| Blood supply | Lingual artery, Tonsillar artery |
| Lymphatic drainage | Deep cervical group of lymph nodes |
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What You'll Learn
The palatoglossus muscle is innervated by the vagus nerve
The palatoglossus muscle is one of the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue. It is also associated with the soft palate. The muscle originates from the palatine aponeurosis and inserts into the side of the tongue. Some of its fibres extend over the dorsum of the tongue, and some pass into the substance of the tongue to intermingle with the transverse muscle of the tongue.
The function of the palatoglossus muscle is to elevate the posterior portion of the tongue and draw the soft palate inferiorly, thereby narrowing the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus. This action plays a significant role during swallowing by propelling the food bolus towards the oesophagus and preventing retrograde flow. The muscle also prevents the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx by maintaining the palatoglossal arch.
The palatoglossus muscle is relatively small compared to the other palatal muscles. It separates the superior part of the tonsil from the supratonsillar fat and forms the anterior boundary of the tonsillar pillar. The palatoglossal arches created by the right and left palatoglossus muscles separate the oral cavity and the oropharynx.
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It is the only tongue muscle derived from the fourth branchial arch
The palatoglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue and the soft palate. It is the only tongue muscle derived from the fourth branchial arch, with all other tongue muscles deriving from the occipital myotomes. The muscle is relatively small compared to other palatal muscles. It originates from the inferior surface of the palatine aponeurosis and descends in an inferior, forward, and lateral direction anterior to the palatine tonsil. The palatoglossus inserts onto the side of the tongue, with some fibres extending over and into the substance of the tongue to intermingle with the transverse muscle of the tongue.
The muscle forms the anterior boundary of the tonsillar pillar, separating the superior part of the tonsil from the supratonsillar fat. The right and left palatoglossus muscles create ridges in the lateral pharyngeal wall, forming the palatoglossal arches (anterior faucial pillars). These arches separate the oral cavity and the oropharynx, preventing the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx.
The palatoglossus functions to elevate the posterior portion of the tongue and draw the soft palate inferiorly, narrowing the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus. This action is important during swallowing, as it propels the food bolus towards the oesophagus and prevents retrograde flow. The muscle also plays a role in speech, with its activity being necessary for the pronunciation of certain vowels and uvular fricatives.
The palatoglossus is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). It is the only muscle of the tongue not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
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It is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue
The palatoglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is one of four extrinsic muscles of the tongue, which originate from bone and insert into muscle. The other three extrinsic muscles of the tongue are the styloglossus, hyoglossus, and genioglossus. The styloglossus and hyoglossus are innervated by branches from the lateral division of CN XII and are mainly retrusors. The genioglossus is the primary tongue protrusor, composed of oblique and horizontal compartments.
The palatoglossus muscle is unique among the tongue muscles in that it is the only one derived from the fourth branchial arch. All other tongue muscles are derived from the occipital myotomes. This is why the palatoglossus is the only tongue muscle that is not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). Instead, it is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve (CN X). Some sources state that the palatoglossus is innervated by fibres from the cranial part of the accessory nerve (CN XI) that travel via the pharyngeal plexus.
The muscle has its origin in the inferior surface of the palatine aponeurosis, from which it passes anteroinferiorly and laterally. It passes anterior to the palatine tonsil and inserts onto the side of the tongue. Some of its fibres extend over the dorsum of the tongue, while others pass into the substance of the tongue to intermingle with the transverse muscle of the tongue.
The function of the palatoglossus muscle is to elevate the root of the tongue, thereby closing off the oral cavity from the oropharynx. This action plays a significant role during swallowing by propelling the food bolus towards the oesophagus and preventing the retrograde flow of food. The muscle also prevents the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx by maintaining the palatoglossal arch.
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It separates the oral cavity from the oropharynx
The palatoglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue and is also associated with the soft palate. It is the only tongue muscle derived from the fourth branchial arch. The palatoglossus muscle is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve (CN X). It is the only muscle of the tongue not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
The palatoglossus muscle functions to separate the oral cavity from the oropharynx. This separation occurs through the elevation of the posterior portion of the tongue and the drawing of the soft palate inferiorly. The muscle also narrows the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus, propelling food towards the oesophagus and preventing the retrograde flow of food.
The palatoglossus muscle is one of four extrinsic muscles that play a role in maintaining the size of the airway during respiration. These muscles maintain the airway by protruding (genioglossus and palatoglossus) or retracting (hyoglossus and styloglossus) the tongue, thereby increasing or decreasing the airway size behind the tongue.
The palatoglossus muscle forms the palatoglossal arch, which is the dividing line between the oral cavity and the oropharynx. The palatoglossal arch also prevents the spillage of saliva from the vestibular region into the oropharyngeal region.
The right and left palatoglossus muscles create ridges in the lateral pharyngeal wall, which separate the oral cavity and the oropharynx. This separation is further facilitated by the palatoglossus muscle's function as an antagonist to the levator veli palatini muscle.
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It is involved in swallowing, speech and breathing
The palatoglossus muscle is involved in several important functions, including swallowing, speech and breathing.
Swallowing
The palatoglossus muscle plays a significant role during swallowing by elevating the posterior portion of the tongue and drawing the soft palate inferiorly, thereby narrowing the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus. This action propels food towards the oesophagus and prevents retrograde food flow. Additionally, the palatoglossus muscle prevents the spillage of saliva from the vestibular region into the oropharyngeal region by maintaining the palatoglossal arch.
Speech
The involvement of the palatoglossus muscle in speech production has been studied using electromyographic techniques. Results suggest that the function of the palatoglossus muscle during speech may vary between individuals. In some individuals, the palatoglossus muscle appears to actively lower the palate for nasals and at the end of utterances. For example, during the pronunciation of vowels like "u," constriction of a larger area of the oropharyngeal isthmus is necessary, and this is influenced by the activity of the palatoglossus muscle.
Breathing
The palatoglossus muscle is one of the upper airway dilator muscles that contribute to preventing sleep-related airway collapse. During nasal breathing, the palatoglossus muscle exhibits a higher proportion of tonically active but inspiratory-modulated motor units compared to other upper airway dilator muscles. Oral breathing results in a decrease in the number of palatoglossal motor units firing. Understanding the motor control of the palatoglossus muscle during different breathing routes is crucial in preventing airway collapse and managing conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
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Frequently asked questions
The palatoglossus muscle functions to elevate the posterior portion of the tongue and draw the soft palate inferiorly, thereby narrowing the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus. This action plays a significant role during swallowing by propelling the food bolus towards the esophagus and preventing the retrograde flow of food.
The palatoglossus muscle is innervated by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). It is the only muscle of the tongue not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
The palatoglossus muscle originates from the palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate and inserts into the side of the tongue.
