
The human tongue is composed of two parts: an oral part at the front and a pharyngeal part at the back. There are four pairs of intrinsic muscles that originate and attach within the tongue, and four pairs of extrinsic muscles that originate from bone and extend to the tongue. These muscles work together to produce essential movements for chewing, speaking, and swallowing. The muscles responsible for retracting the tongue are the hyoglossus, styloglossus, and genioglossus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Name | Hyoglossus, Styloglossus |
| Muscle Type | Intrinsic, Extrinsic |
| Muscle Structure | Quadrangular, Thin and Striped |
| Muscle Origin | Hyoid Bone, Styloid Process of Temporal Bone |
| Muscle Insertion | Lateral Aspect of Tongue, Posterior Lateral Aspects of Tongue |
| Muscle Function | Depression, Retraction, Elevation |
| Innervation | Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII), Vagus Nerve (CN X) |
| Arterial Supply | Lingual Artery, External Carotid Artery |
| Venous Drainage | Lingual Vein, Internal Jugular Vein |
| Lymphatic Drainage | Central and Marginal Lymph Vessels |
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What You'll Learn

The hyoglossus muscle is involved in tongue retraction
The tongue is a muscular organ that plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, chewing, and swallowing. It is divided into two parts: the oral part at the front and the pharyngeal part at the back. The tongue is composed of several muscles, including intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, that work together to facilitate these essential functions.
One of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue is the hyoglossus muscle. This muscle is responsible for depressing and retracting the tongue. It originates from the hyoid bone, which is located in the front region of the neck, and inserts onto the lateral aspect of the tongue. The hyoglossus muscle is positioned immediately lateral to the geniohyoid in the floor of the oral cavity. Its width matches that of the greater horn of the hyoid bone, contributing significantly to the structure of the oral cavity's floor.
The hyoglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), which provides motor innervation to all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus muscle. The hypoglossal nerve, along with the lingual nerve, traverses the external surface of the hyoglossus muscle en route to the tongue. Additionally, the dorsal lingual artery, a branch of the lingual artery, arises beneath the hyoglossus muscle and supplies blood to the mucous membrane of the posterior tongue region, as well as to other structures such as the glossopalatine arch and the soft palate.
The hyoglossus muscle works in conjunction with other muscles of the tongue to enable a range of tongue movements. These movements include protrusion, retraction, depression, and elevation. The hyoglossus muscle specifically contributes to depressing the lateral aspects of the tongue and retracting it. This muscle's ability to retract the tongue is essential for various functions, including the manipulation of food during chewing and the formation of the food bolus during the oral phase of swallowing.
In summary, the hyoglossus muscle is indeed involved in tongue retraction. It arises from the hyoid bone and, through its retracting action, plays a crucial role in depressing and retracting the tongue. This muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve and supplied with blood by the dorsal lingual artery. The hyoglossus muscle functions in coordination with other tongue muscles to enable a range of tongue movements that are vital for essential functions such as speech, chewing, and swallowing.
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The styloglossus muscle retracts and elevates the tongue
The styloglossus muscle is one of four extrinsic muscles of the tongue. These muscles are attached to bone and extend to the tongue, altering the tongue's position to allow for protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side movement. The styloglossus muscle retracts and elevates the tongue, drawing the sides of the tongue up to create a trough for swallowing.
The styloglossus muscle is shaped like a thin stripe and originates from the anterolateral aspect of the styloid process of the temporal bone and the nearby stylomandibular ligament. It passes through the oropharyngeal triangle to reach the tongue and insert into the posterolateral aspects. The longitudinal part of the styloglossus blends with the fibres of the inferior longitudinal muscle, while the oblique part blends with the fibres of the hyoglossus muscles.
The styloglossus muscle is located on either side of the oropharynx. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, which provides motor innervation to all of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve. The hypoglossal nerve also provides sensory innervation to the tongue, along with the lingual nerve.
The four intrinsic muscles of the tongue are the superior longitudinal muscle, the inferior longitudinal muscle, the vertical muscle, and the transverse muscle. These muscles alter the shape of the tongue by lengthening and shortening it, curling and uncurling its apex and edges, and flattening and rounding its surface. This provides shape and helps facilitate speech, swallowing, and eating.
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The genioglossus muscle protrudes the tongue
The genioglossus muscle is one of the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue, along with the hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that constitutes the bulk of the tongue. The genioglossus muscle originates from the superior mental spine of the mandible, with its inferior fibres inserting onto the body of the hyoid bone and superior fibres inserting along the entire length of the dorsum of the tongue. This muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, which provides motor innervation to all of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve.
The genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in protruding the tongue. When contracted, it pulls the basihyoid bone rostrally, causing the tongue to protrude anteriorly out of the mouth. This protrusion can occur directly forward or with a deviation to the opposite side, depending on whether both sides of the muscle contract simultaneously or unilaterally. The genioglossus muscle also acts in conjunction with the hyoglossus muscle to depress and retract the tongue.
The blood supply to the genioglossus muscle is provided by branches of the lingual and facial arteries. Specifically, the sublingual branch of the lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, supplies blood to this muscle. The lingual artery itself passes between the hyoglossus and genioglossus muscles, supplying the apex of the tongue. The sublingual artery, a branch of the lingual artery, also plays a role in vascular supply by passing between the genioglossus and mylohyoid muscles.
The genioglossus muscle has clinical significance, particularly in the context of obstructive sleep apnea. Relaxation of the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles during REM sleep can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea by allowing the tongue to sink backward and obstruct the airway. By pulling the mandible forward, the airway space can be maximised, preventing airway obstruction. Additionally, the genioglossus muscle is often used as a proxy to test the function of the hypoglossal nerve. Asking a patient to stick out their tongue can help assess whether peripheral damage to the hypoglossal nerve has occurred.
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The palatoglossus muscle is innervated by the vagus nerve
The tongue is a muscular structure that plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, mastication (chewing), and deglutition (swallowing). It has both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that work together to produce complex movements. One of these muscles is the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve, also known as cranial nerve X.
The palatoglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle of the tongue and is also associated with the soft palate. It originates from the palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate and inserts broadly along 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. This muscle is unique in that it is the only muscle of the tongue that is not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). Instead, it receives motor innervation from the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve plays a significant role in the body's autonomic nervous system. It has both motor and sensory functions and is involved in controlling various organs and physiological processes. The special visceral efferent fibres of the vagus nerve supply striated muscles of the tongue, larynx, soft palate, and pharynx. The vagus nerve also provides parasympathetic innervation to the smooth muscle of the oropharynx and viscera within the thoracoabdomen.
The palatoglossus muscle has several important functions. Firstly, it elevates the root of the tongue, aiding in the initiation of swallowing. It also separates the oral cavity and the oropharynx by closing the oropharyngeal isthmus. Additionally, the palatoglossus muscle helps to prevent the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx by maintaining the palatoglossal arch. This muscle works in conjunction with other tongue muscles, such as the styloglossus muscle, to produce a range of tongue movements.
The tongue is a highly mobile organ that is essential for various functions, including speech and feeding. The palatoglossus muscle, innervated by the vagus nerve, plays a specific role in tongue movement and function, contributing to the overall complexity and adaptability of the tongue as a vital muscular structure.
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The hypoglossal nerve controls the tongue's intrinsic and extrinsic muscles
The tongue is a muscular organ that plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, chewing, and swallowing. It is composed of both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, which work together to produce complex movements. The hypoglossal nerve, also known as cranial nerve XII, is primarily responsible for controlling and coordinating the actions of these muscles.
The intrinsic muscles of the tongue originate and attach to other structures within the tongue itself. There are four pairs of intrinsic muscles, including the superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse, and vertical muscles. These muscles are responsible for altering the shape and size of the tongue, such as during tongue rolling. They facilitate essential functions like speech, chewing, and swallowing by manipulating the tongue against the teeth and palate.
The hypoglossal nerve provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles, enabling them to contract and relax in a coordinated manner. This nerve carries signals from the brain to control muscle movement, allowing for precise adjustments to the tongue's position and shape. Damage to the hypoglossal nerve can result in paralysis or weakness of the tongue, impacting an individual's ability to speak, chew, and swallow effectively.
On the other hand, the extrinsic muscles of the tongue originate from structures outside the tongue and insert onto it. There are four pairs of extrinsic muscles: genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. These muscles are responsible for more gross movements of the tongue, including protrusion, retraction, depression, and elevation.
The hypoglossal nerve also innervates the extrinsic muscles, with the exception of the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve. The genioglossus muscles push the tongue forward, while the hyoglossus muscles retract and flatten it. The styloglossus muscles move the tongue up and down, contributing to retraction and elevation movements. This coordination of extrinsic muscles allows for the precise positioning of the tongue during various functions.
In summary, the hypoglossal nerve plays a critical role in controlling both the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue. It enables the tongue to undergo the intricate movements necessary for speech, chewing, and swallowing. Damage to this nerve can have significant impacts on an individual's quality of life, highlighting the importance of maintaining the health and integrity of the hypoglossal nerve and its associated structures.
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Frequently asked questions
The hyoglossus, styloglossus, and genioglossus muscles are responsible for retracting the tongue.
The hyoglossus muscle originates from the hyoid bone and inserts into the lateral aspect of the tongue. It is involved in depressing and retracting the tongue.
The styloglossus muscle is a thin, paired muscle that originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts into the lateral aspect of the tongue. It is responsible for retracting and elevating the tongue.
The genioglossus muscle protrudes the tongue and deviates it towards the opposite side. It is also known as the "safety muscle" as it is the only muscle that propels the tongue forward.


























