Tongue Muscles: The Power Of Speech And Taste

what muscles move the tongue

The human tongue is a muscular structure that plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, chewing, and swallowing. The tongue's complex movements are made possible by the coordination of several muscles, which can be broadly classified into two groups: intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles originate and remain within the tongue, altering its shape by lengthening, shortening, curling, and flattening it. On the other hand, the extrinsic muscles originate from structures outside the tongue and insert onto it, allowing for movements like protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side motions. These muscles work together to enable the tongue to perform its diverse functions efficiently.

Characteristics Values
Number of muscle groups 2
Number of muscles in each group 4
Muscle groups Intrinsic and extrinsic
Origin of intrinsic muscles Within the tongue
Origin of extrinsic muscles Outside the tongue
Function of intrinsic muscles Alter the shape of the tongue
Function of extrinsic muscles Alter the position of the tongue
Innervation Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Exception to innervation Palatoglossus muscle, innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X)
Blood supply Lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid artery
Veins Lingual veins, draining into the internal jugular vein
Genioglossus function Protrusion and depression of the tongue
Hyoglossus function Depression and retraction of the tongue
Styloglossus function Retraction and elevation of the tongue
Palatoglossus function Elevates the back of the tongue during swallowing

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The genioglossus muscle helps with protrusion and depression of the tongue

The genioglossus muscle is a large, thick, fan-shaped muscle that contributes significantly to the shape of the tongue. It is one of the paired extrinsic muscles of the tongue, with a left and right portion. The genioglossus muscle arises from the mandibular symphysis and inserts onto the body of the hyoid bone and the entire length of the tongue.

The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve. The deep lingual artery, which is the termination of the lingual artery, passes between the genioglossus muscle and the inferior longitudinal muscle, supplying the apex of the tongue. The sublingual artery also provides blood supply to the genioglossus.

The genioglossus muscle is often used as a proxy to test the function of the hypoglossal nerve, by asking a patient to stick out their tongue. Peripheral damage to the hypoglossal nerve can result in deviation of the tongue to the damaged side. Relaxation of the genioglossus and geniohyoideus muscles, especially during REM sleep, is implicated in obstructive sleep apnea.

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The hyoglossus muscle is responsible for depressing and retracting the tongue

The tongue is made up of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles originate and attach to other structures within the tongue, while the extrinsic muscles originate from structures outside the tongue and insert onto it. The tongue muscles, except for the palatoglossus muscle, are innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). The hypoglossal nerve provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the tongue, allowing them to change the shape and size of the tongue and enabling functions such as tongue rolling, speech, eating, and swallowing.

One of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue is the hyoglossus muscle. This thin and quadrilateral muscle is located in the floor of the oral cavity, immediately lateral to the geniohyoid. It originates from the hyoid bone and inserts onto the lateral aspect of the tongue. The hyoglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, specifically the lateral branch of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

The hyoglossus muscle also has implications for speech and singing. Retracting and depressing the tongue with the hyoglossus can help to define certain vowels, deepen resonance, and control the larynx. However, it has been suggested that this may be a compensatory mechanism for a lack of optimal articulation, resonance, and stability. Releasing and stretching the hyoglossus muscle can lead to improved articulatory freedom, enhanced resonance, and ease of vocal production. Tongue exercises, such as grasping the tongue and pulling it forward, can be performed to stretch the hyoglossus muscle.

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The styloglossus muscle elevates and retracts the tongue

The tongue is made up of both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. The intrinsic muscles originate and attach to other structures within the tongue. There are four paired intrinsic muscles of the tongue: the superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse, and vertical muscles. These muscles affect the tongue's shape and size, such as in tongue rolling, and play a role in speech, eating, and swallowing. 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: the genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. These muscles produce movements that the intrinsic muscles cannot, such as protrusion, retraction, retrusion, depression, and elevation of the tongue.

The styloglossus muscle is a thin, bilaterally paired muscle located on either side of the oropharynx. It originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the lateral aspect of the tongue. The styloglossus muscle is the shortest and smallest of the three styloid muscles. It arises from the anterior and lateral surfaces of the styloid process of the temporal bone near its apex and from the stylomandibular ligament. The longitudinal part of the styloglossus blends with the fibers of the inferior longitudinal muscle, while the oblique part blends with the fibers of the hyoglossus muscles.

The styloglossus muscle functions to elevate and retract the tongue. By contracting, the styloglossus muscle retracts the tongue and elevates its lateral aspects. Acting bilaterally, with both styloglossus muscles contracting simultaneously, they aid in retracting the tongue. The styloglossus draws up the sides of the tongue to create a trough for swallowing.

The styloglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), which innervates the muscles responsible for all tongue movement. The four intrinsic muscles of the tongue controlled by the hypoglossal nerve are responsible for tongue shortening, concaving (turning the tip and lateral margins upward), narrowing, elongating, and flattening. The extrinsic muscles, including the styloglossus, account for tongue protrusion (genioglossus), drawing the tongue upward and backward (styloglossus), and retraction and depression of the tongue (hyoglossus).

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The palatoglossus muscle is associated with the soft palate

The tongue is a muscular structure that plays a crucial role in various functions, including speech, chewing, and swallowing. It is composed of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, with the extrinsic muscles originating from structures outside the tongue and inserting onto it. One of these extrinsic muscles is the palatoglossus muscle, which is closely associated with the soft palate and plays a significant role in several functions.

The palatoglossus muscle, also known as musculus palatoglossus, is one of the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue. It arises from the palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate and inserts onto the side of the tongue. Some of its fibers extend over the dorsum of the tongue, while others intermingle with the transverse muscle. This muscle is responsible for elevating the root of the tongue and separating the oral cavity from the oropharynx.

The palatoglossus muscle is unique among the tongue muscles as it is not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). Instead, it receives innervation from the vagus nerve (CN X) via branches of the pharyngeal plexus. This distinct innervation is due to its association with the soft palate and its role in coordinating the movements of the tongue and soft palate during functions like swallowing.

The coordination between the palatoglossus muscle and the soft palate is crucial for swallowing. During swallowing, the palatoglossus muscle elevates the posterior portion of the tongue while drawing the soft palate inferiorly. This action narrows the diameter of the oropharyngeal isthmus and propels the food bolus towards the oesophagus, preventing retrograde flow. Additionally, the palatoglossus muscle helps maintain the palatoglossal arch, preventing the spillage of saliva from the oral cavity into the oropharynx.

The palatoglossus muscle also plays a role in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Electrical stimulation of the nerve to this muscle has been shown to dilate the retropalatal space, reducing the burden of OSA. This stimulation causes a forward movement of the tongue base and the anterior displacement of the anterior palatal pillar, helping to increase the retropalatal space. Thus, the palatoglossus muscle's ability to alter the position of the soft palate relative to the tongue is significant in managing OSA.

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The intrinsic muscles of the tongue alter its shape, while the extrinsic muscles change its position

The human tongue is a muscular organ that performs a variety of functions, including speech, chewing, and swallowing. The tongue's complex movements are made possible by the coordination of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.

The intrinsic muscles of the tongue are four paired muscles that originate and insert within the tongue, running along its length. These muscles include the superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, vertical, and transverse muscles. They are responsible for altering the shape of the tongue by lengthening, shortening, curling, uncurling, flattening, and rounding it. These movements are essential for tongue functions such as speech, swallowing, and eating. For example, the superior longitudinal muscle curls the tongue upward, while the inferior longitudinal muscle curls it downward. The vertical muscle flattens the tongue, and the transverse muscle lengthens and narrows it.

On the other hand, the extrinsic muscles of the tongue originate from structures outside the tongue and insert into it. There are four extrinsic muscles: the genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. These muscles change the position of the tongue by enabling movements such as protrusion, retraction, retrusion, depression, and elevation. For instance, the genioglossus muscle protrudes the tongue forward, while the hyoglossus retracts and depresses it. The styloglossus muscle retracts and elevates the tongue, and the palatoglossus elevates the back of the tongue during swallowing.

The intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue work together to produce a wide range of tongue movements. While the intrinsic muscles alter the tongue's shape, the extrinsic muscles change its position, allowing for the complex and coordinated actions necessary for speech, chewing, and swallowing.

Additionally, the tongue receives its motor innervation from the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), which supplies all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles except for the palatoglossus muscle. The palatoglossus muscle is instead innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X).

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Frequently asked questions

The tongue has four intrinsic muscles: the superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse, and vertical muscles. These muscles originate and attach to other structures within the tongue. They are responsible for altering the shape of the tongue, which is essential for speaking, eating, and swallowing.

The four extrinsic muscles of the tongue are the genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus. These muscles originate from bone structures outside the tongue and insert into it. They are responsible for changing the tongue's position, allowing for movements such as protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side motion.

The tongue's intrinsic muscles play a crucial role in shaping the tongue, which is essential for articulation during speech. Additionally, the extrinsic muscles enable the tongue's protrusion, retraction, and other movements, facilitating the production of various sounds and aiding in the formation of words.

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