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The hyoglossus muscle is one of the four intrinsic muscles of the tongue. It is a thin, quadrilateral muscle that originates along the whole length of the hyoid bone and inserts into the side of the tongue. The hyoglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, which controls the movements of the tongue required for speech and swallowing. The hypoglossal nerve is a purely motor nerve that originates from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem and passes through the hypoglossal canal. It supplies the hyoglossus muscle, along with other extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the tongue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Skeletal muscle |
| Shape | Thin, quadrilateral, broad |
| Origin | Hyoid bone, lateral surface of the rostral third of the thyrohyal bone |
| Insertion | Side of the tongue |
| Blood supply | Sublingual branch of the lingual artery, submental branch of the facial artery |
| Innervation | Hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) |
| Function | Depress and retract the tongue |
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What You'll Learn
- The hyoglossus muscle is a thin, quadrilateral muscle that originates from the hyoid bone
- The hypoglossal nerve is a cranial nerve that innervates the hyoglossus muscle
- The nerve provides motor control of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue
- The nerve emerges from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem
- The nerve exits the skull through the hypoglossal canal
The hyoglossus muscle is a thin, quadrilateral muscle that originates from the hyoid bone
The hyoid bone is located in the anterior neck region and is an important structure for muscle attachments. The hyoglossus muscle arises from the whole length of the hyoid bone, specifically from its body and greater cornu. This muscle then inserts into the side of the posterior half of the tongue, taking a near-vertical path. The hyoglossus muscle acts externally to the genioglossus muscle, which is responsible for protruding the tongue.
The hyoglossus muscle receives its motor innervation from the hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve or cranial nerve XII. This nerve originates from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata and carries motor signals to the muscles of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve controls the movement of the tongue and supplies several muscles, including the hyoglossus, genioglossus, and styloglossus.
The blood supply to the hyoglossus muscle is primarily through the sublingual branch of the lingual artery, which is the third branch of the external carotid artery. Additionally, the submental branch of the facial artery, which is the fourth branch of the external carotid artery, also contributes to the blood supply of the hyoglossus muscle.
The hyoglossus muscle is significant in maintaining proper tongue function, and any injuries or damage to the associated hypoglossal nerve can have noticeable effects on an individual's speech and ability to move their tongue.
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The hypoglossal nerve is a cranial nerve that innervates the hyoglossus muscle
The hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, cranial nerve XII, or simply CN XII, is a cranial nerve that innervates the hyoglossus muscle. It is a purely motor nerve, which innervates extrinsic tongue muscles and the geniohyoid muscle. It originates from its motor nucleus, called the nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve or hypoglossal nucleus, in the ventral medulla oblongata. The hypoglossal nucleus is a thin and long structure located in the ventral portion of the medulla, near the midline. Its rostral portion is found in an area called the hypoglossal trigone.
The hypoglossal nerve provides motor control of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus, as well as the intrinsic muscles of the tongue. These muscles are responsible for moving and manipulating the tongue. The left and right genioglossus muscles, in particular, are involved in protruding the tongue. The muscles are attached to the underside of the top and back parts of the tongue, causing the tongue to protrude and deviate towards the opposite side.
The hypoglossal nerve is at risk of injury during certain procedures, such as carotid endarterectomy, penetrating injuries to the neck, and lesions of the skull base. Damage to the nerve or its pathways can affect the tongue's movement and appearance. When the nerve is injured, the tongue may feel "thick," "heavy," or "clumsy," and speech may be impaired, with difficulties in producing certain sounds.
The nerve's function can be assessed by examining the tongue and its movements. At rest, an injured nerve may cause the tongue to appear like a "bag of worms" (fasciculations) or exhibit wasting (atrophy). The tongue is then tested by asking the patient to stick it out. If the nerve or its pathways are damaged, the tongue will usually deviate to one side due to the genioglossus muscle receiving nerve signals on one side but not the other.
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The nerve provides motor control of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue
The hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, cranial nerve XII, or simply CN XII, is a motor nerve that controls the movement of the tongue. It is responsible for innervating all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve.
The hypoglossal nerve originates at the base of the brain near the top of the spinal cord (brainstem) and travels down the neck, eventually passing over the tongue muscles it supplies. It provides motor control for the extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus muscles. These muscles are involved in protruding, retracting, depressing, and moving the tongue up and down, as well as manipulating it to stick out and move from side to side.
The genioglossus muscle is a large, thick muscle that contributes significantly to the shape of the tongue. It arises from the mandibular symphysis and inserts into the body of the hyoid bone and the entire length of the tongue. This muscle is responsible for protruding the tongue and moving substances around in the mouth. The hyoglossus muscle, on the other hand, is located in the floor of the oral cavity, immediately lateral to the geniohyoid. It arises from the hyoid bone and inserts into the lateral aspect of the tongue, depressing and retracting it.
The hypoglossal nerve is essential for various functions, including speaking, swallowing, and making noises with the mouth, such as clicking sounds. Damage to the nerve or its pathways can affect the tongue's movement and appearance, leading to issues such as slurred speech and difficulty swallowing.
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The nerve emerges from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem
The hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, cranial nerve XII, or CN XII, is a nerve with a sole motor function. It innervates all the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus, which is innervated by the vagus nerve. The nerve is involved in controlling tongue movements required for speech and swallowing, including sticking out the tongue and moving it from side to side.
The nerve emerges from the hypoglossal nucleus, a cluster of motor neurons that control the muscles of the tongue. The hypoglossal nucleus is located in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem, near the midline. It is a thin and long nucleus that lies in the ventral portion of the medulla, with its rostral portion belonging to an area called the hypoglossal trigone. The hypoglossal nucleus is a cranial nerve nucleus, found within the medulla, and is close to the midline as it is a motor nucleus.
The hypoglossal nerve emerges from the hypoglossal nucleus as several rootlets, which pass through the hypoglossal canal and down through the neck. These rootlets then merge into a single nerve trunk in the hypoglossal canal. The nerve eventually passes up again over the tongue muscles it supplies into the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve leaves the brainstem through the anterolateral sulcus of the medulla oblongata, with its roots passing across the posterior cranial fossa laterally.
The hypoglossal nerve provides motor control of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue: genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and the intrinsic muscles of the tongue. These muscles are involved in moving and manipulating the tongue. The nerve also innervates the geniohyoid muscle, a suprahyoid muscle.
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The nerve exits the skull through the hypoglossal canal
The hypoglossal nerve, also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, is a motor nerve that innervates the tongue. It is responsible for the tongue's motor functions, including protruding, retracting, depressing, and changing the shape of the tongue. The nerve originates from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata, a part of the brainstem.
The hypoglossal nerve exits the skull through the hypoglossal canal, which is located near the large opening for the spinal cord, known as the foramen magnum. After exiting the skull, the nerve spirals around the vagus nerve and travels behind the digastric muscle. It then continues its path deep to the hyoglossus muscle, which it supplies, along with the genioglossus muscle.
The hypoglossal nerve plays a crucial role in tongue movement and speech. It provides motor control to the extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the genioglossus, hyoglossus, and styloglossus. It also innervates the intrinsic muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus, which is supplied by the vagus nerve.
Damage to the hypoglossal nerve can have significant effects on tongue function and appearance. When the nerve is injured, the tongue may deviate to one side due to the genioglossus muscle receiving nerve signals asymmetrically. The tongue may also feel "thick," "heavy," or "clumsy," and speech may be affected, leading to slurred speech.
The nerve is tested by examining the tongue's strength, bulk, and dexterity. If the nerve is damaged, the tongue may appear wasted or atrophied, and it may be difficult to protrude or move the tongue. Thus, the hypoglossal nerve's exit through the hypoglossal canal is essential for its function and the overall motor control of the tongue.
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Frequently asked questions
The hypoglossus muscle is a thin, quadrilateral extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It originates from the hyoid bone and inserts into the side of the tongue.
The hypoglossus muscle acts to depress and retract the tongue.
The hypoglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (also known as the twelfth cranial nerve, cranial nerve XII, or CN XII). The nerve is involved in controlling tongue movements required for speech and swallowing.
