Dominic Stone
The human tongue is a muscular organ that plays a crucial role in various functions, including mastication (chewing), swallowing, and speech. The tongue's ability to move and change shape is made possible by several muscles that work together to produce these complex movements. These muscles can be classified as either intrinsic or extrinsic. The intrinsic muscles originate and attach to other structures within the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles originate from structures outside the tongue and insert into it. The styloglossus, palatoglossus, genioglossus, and hyoglossus muscles are the primary extrinsic muscles responsible for elevating the tongue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles that elevate the tongue | Palatoglossus, styloglossus, superior longitudinal muscle |
| Number of muscles in the tongue | 8 |
| Types of muscles | Intrinsic, extrinsic |
| Number of intrinsic muscles | 4 |
| Function of intrinsic muscles | Alter the shape of the tongue |
| Number of extrinsic muscles | 4 |
| Function of extrinsic muscles | Change the position of the tongue |
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What You'll Learn
The styloglossus muscle elevates the tongue's lateral margin
The tongue is a muscular organ with a complex arrangement of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles are responsible for changing the shape of the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles move it in different directions. One of these extrinsic muscles is the styloglossus muscle, which is involved in retruding and elevating the tongue.
The styloglossus muscle is a thin, stripe-shaped muscle that 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 its 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 muscle.
When the styloglossus muscle contracts, it retrudes the tongue and elevates its lateral margins. This elevation of the tongue's sides creates a trough, which is essential for the process of swallowing. The styloglossus muscle is also involved in drawing the tongue upward and backward.
The styloglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, which carries motor fibres to the intrinsic tongue muscles and other muscles such as the thyrohyoid, hyoglossus, genioglossus, and geniohyoid. The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for innervating the muscles that control all tongue movements, including the four intrinsic muscles that change the shape of the tongue and the extrinsic muscles that move the tongue.
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The palatoglossus muscle elevates the posterior tongue
The tongue is a muscular structure that plays a crucial role in various functions, including mastication (chewing), speech, and deglutition (swallowing). It is composed of both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, with the extrinsic muscles originating from structures outside the tongue and inserting into it. One of these extrinsic muscles is the palatoglossus muscle, which is responsible for elevating the posterior tongue.
The palatoglossus muscle, also known as musculus palatoglossus, is one of four extrinsic muscles of the tongue and is associated with both the tongue and the soft palate. It originates from the palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate and arches laterally downward to insert into the dorsum of the tongue. This muscle is unique in that it is the only extrinsic muscle of the tongue that is not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve. Instead, it receives innervation from the vagus nerve (CN X) via branches of the pharyngeal plexus.
The primary function of the palatoglossus muscle is to elevate the posterior portion of the tongue. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in closing the oropharyngeal isthmus and aiding in the initiation of swallowing. By contracting, the palatoglossus muscle elevates the root of the tongue, constricts the isthmus of fauces, and prevents the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx by maintaining the palatoglossal arch. This action is essential for propelling food towards the oesophagus and preventing retrograde flow during swallowing.
The palatoglossus muscle also works in conjunction with other muscles to control the position and rigidity of the soft palate. It functions alongside the palatopharyngeus muscle to elevate the velar region, and its contraction can lead to forward movement of the tongue base and advancement of the palate. In individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea, electrical stimulation of the nerve to the palatoglossus muscle has been shown to dilate the retropalatal space, thereby reducing the burden of the condition.
The palatoglossus muscle has a clinical significance in surgical procedures such as lateral pharyngoplasty and zeta-pharyngoplasty, where it is incised to release the palate laterally and reconstruct the lateral pharyngeal wall. Variations in the region of attachment of the palatoglossus muscle in the soft palate can also impact its mechanical ability to elevate the tongue. In some individuals, a larger attachment area in the anterior portion of the velum results in increased muscle capacity for tongue elevation.
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The genioglossus muscle protrudes the tongue
The tongue is a muscular organ with a complex arrangement of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles are responsible for changing the shape of the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles are in charge of moving it in different directions. One of these extrinsic muscles is the genioglossus muscle, which is responsible for protruding the tongue.
The genioglossus muscle is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that constitutes the bulk of the tongue. It originates from the superior mental spine of the mandible, just above the origin of the geniohyoid. Its insertion is broader, with its inferior fibers inserting into the body of the hyoid bone and superior fibers inserting along the entire length of the dorsum of the tongue. The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, as are all the other muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus muscle.
The function of the genioglossus muscle is to protrude the tongue, which involves sticking it out of the mouth. This movement is important for various functions, such as speaking, chewing, and swallowing. When the genioglossus muscle contracts, it stabilizes and enlarges the portion of the upper airway, preventing airway obstruction. This is particularly important during medical procedures when anaesthesia is administered to prevent the tongue from sinking backward and blocking the airway.
The genioglossus muscle can be used as a clinical test to assess the function of the hypoglossal nerve. By asking a patient to stick out their tongue, peripheral damage to the hypoglossal nerve can be detected. If the tongue deviates to one side, it indicates an injury to the hypoglossal nerve on that side. However, if the tongue protrudes directly forward without deviation, it suggests that the hypoglossal nerves are likely not injured.
In summary, the genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in protruding the tongue and maintaining airway patency. Its function is essential for various physiological processes and has important clinical implications, especially in anaesthetic and respiratory care.
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The superior longitudinal muscle curls the tongue upward
The human tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that plays a crucial role in various functions, including mastication (chewing), swallowing, and speech. The tongue's position and shape are manipulated by two groups of muscles: the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.
The intrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the superior longitudinal muscle, originate and attach to other structures within the tongue itself. There are four pairs of intrinsic muscles, each named according to the direction in which they travel: superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse, and vertical muscles.
The superior longitudinal muscle is responsible for curling the tongue upward, also known as dorsiflexion. It runs along the upper surface of the tongue, underneath the mucous membrane. By contracting, the superior longitudinal muscle shortens and widens the tongue, causing it to curl upward. This upward curling movement is essential for various functions, such as manipulating food during chewing and facilitating speech.
The superior longitudinal muscle works in conjunction with other intrinsic muscles to alter the shape and size of the tongue. For example, the inferior longitudinal muscle shortens and widens the tongue, curling it downward (ventroflexion), while the transverse muscle elongates and narrows the tongue. The vertical muscle, located in the middle of the tongue, joins the superior and inferior longitudinal muscles and functions to flatten the tongue.
The superior longitudinal muscle also plays a role in tongue movements that are essential for speech and swallowing. It coordinates with other muscles to elevate the tongue, allowing for the production of certain sounds and the initiation of the swallowing reflex. Additionally, the superior longitudinal muscle contributes to the retraction and broadening of the tongue, as well as the elevation of the tongue's tip.
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The vertical muscle flattens the tongue
The human tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that plays a crucial role in various functions, including mastication (chewing), swallowing, and speech. The tongue comprises both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, with the intrinsic muscles originating and attaching to other structures within the tongue itself. These muscles alter the shape of the tongue and facilitate essential movements during speech, eating, and swallowing.
One of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue is the vertical muscle. This muscle is located in the middle of the tongue and joins the superior and inferior longitudinal muscles. The vertical muscle plays a specific role in flattening the tongue. By contracting, it facilitates the flattening and widening of the tongue, which is necessary for certain tongue movements and functions.
The vertical muscle is one of four paired intrinsic muscles of the tongue, the others being the superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, and transverse muscles. Each of these muscles is named according to the direction in which its fibres run. The superior longitudinal muscle shortens and widens the tongue, curling it upward, while the inferior longitudinal muscle shortens and widens the tongue, curling it downward. The transverse muscle, in contrast to the vertical muscle, elongates and narrows the tongue.
The intrinsic muscles of the tongue work together with the extrinsic muscles to enable a wide range of tongue movements. The extrinsic muscles, which include the genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus muscles, originate from structures outside the tongue and insert into it. These muscles are responsible for movements such as protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side movement of the tongue.
While most of the tongue's muscles are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), the palatoglossus muscle is an exception, as it is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) via branches of the pharyngeal plexus. This unique innervation is shared by the vertical muscle, which is also innervated by the vagus nerve. The complex interplay between the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the vertical muscle, allows for the diverse range of movements necessary for speech, eating, and swallowing.
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Frequently asked questions
The styloglossus, palatoglossus, and hyoglossus muscles elevate the tongue.
The styloglossus muscle is a thin stripe that 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 its posterolateral aspects. Its contraction results in the retrusion of the tongue and the elevation of its lateral margin.
The palatoglossus muscle is a bow-shaped muscle associated with the tongue and the soft palate. It originates from the palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate and arches laterally downward to insert into the dorsum of the tongue. It elevates the posterior tongue, closes the oropharyngeal isthmus, and aids in swallowing.
The hyoglossus muscle retrudes the tongue and depresses its lateral margins.
