Alec Titan
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, which is essential for speaking, while the extrinsic muscles are in charge of moving the tongue in different directions. The genioglossus muscle, which is one of the extrinsic muscles, protrudes the tongue and depresses the center of the tongue at its back. The hyoglossus muscle also retrudes the tongue and depresses its lateral margins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Genioglossus |
| Muscle Type | One of the paired extrinsic muscles of the tongue |
| Shape | Fan-shaped |
| Origin | Mental spine of the mandible |
| Insertion | Hyoid bone, bottom of the tongue |
| Innervation | Hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) |
| Function | Protruding (or sticking out) the tongue, depressing the center of the tongue at its back |
| Other Functions | Stabilizing and enlarging the upper airway, facilitating speech, eating and swallowing |
| Blood Supply | External carotid artery |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The genioglossus muscle is fan-shaped and makes up most of the tongue
- The hyoglossus muscle depresses the tongue's lateral margins
- The styloglossus muscle is thin and stripe-shaped
- The palatoglossus muscle is the only extrinsic tongue muscle not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve
- The genioglossus muscle is negatively affected by oral pathologies and systemic diseases
The genioglossus muscle is fan-shaped and makes up most of the tongue
The genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in stabilising and enlarging the upper airway, preventing its collapse. This is particularly important during sleep, as relaxation of the genioglossus muscle has been linked to obstructive sleep apnea. By understanding the role of the genioglossus muscle, healthcare professionals can devise strategies to prevent airway obstruction, such as pulling the mandible forward to maximise airway space.
The name "genioglossus" originates from the Greek words "γένειον" (geneion), meaning "chin," and "γλῶσσα" (glōssa), meaning "tongue." The muscle has been studied and referred to by anatomists and physicians since the early seventeenth century. The canine genioglossus muscle, specifically, has been categorised into horizontal and oblique compartments.
The genioglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) and plays a role in tongue movement. It is often used as a proxy to test the function of the hypoglossal nerve by asking a patient to stick out their tongue. Any peripheral damage to this nerve can result in deviation of the tongue towards the damaged side.
The genioglossus muscle also influences the function of the temporomandibular joint and contributes to the production of speech sounds, specifically phonemes. It is electrically active during sniffing and nasal breathing, with higher values of electromyography. The muscle's size and position are connected to the base of the skull (occipital bone) and the hyoid bone.
The Penis and Muscles: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![McKesson Tongue Depressors [500 Count] Adult Size, Non-Sterile, Wood, Unflavored, Splinter-Free, 6 in – Use for Medical, Arts, Crafts, Spa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71PTAw2sgvL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The hyoglossus muscle depresses the tongue's lateral margins
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. The hyoglossus muscle is one of the extrinsic muscles, along with the genioglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus muscles.
The hyoglossus muscle is quadrangular in shape and originates from the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone. It passes through the oropharyngeal triangle, a space in the neck bounded by the superior pharyngeal constrictor, middle pharyngeal constrictor, and mylohyoid muscles. The hyoglossus muscle then inserts into the inferior and ventral parts of the lateral tongue, between the genioglossus and styloglossus muscles.
Contraction of the hyoglossus muscle results in retrusion and depression of the tongue's lateral margins. This means that the hyoglossus muscle pulls the tongue backwards and downwards, specifically at the sides of the tongue. This is in contrast to the genioglossus muscle, which protrudes the tongue forward and depresses the center of the tongue at its back when acting together.
The hyoglossus muscle is an important clinical landmark as the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) and the lingual nerve pass over its external surface on their way to the tongue. It also makes up a big part of the floor of the oral cavity, being as wide as the greater horn of the hyoid bone.
Building Muscle Density: Strategies for a Stronger Physique
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The styloglossus muscle is thin and stripe-shaped
The styloglossus muscle is a thin, stripe-shaped muscle that is one of four pairs of extrinsic muscles of the tongue. It is the shortest and smallest of the three styloid muscles. The styloglossus muscle originates at the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts onto the side of the tongue. It acts to elevate and retract the tongue, drawing up the sides to create a trough for swallowing.
The styloglossus muscle is one of the muscles that attach to the styloid process, along with the stylopharyngeus and stylohyoid muscles. As the styloglossus muscle descends anteriorly, it divides into longitudinal and oblique parts. The longitudinal part enters the tongue from the side and blends with the inferior longitudinal lingual muscle. The oblique part overlaps with the hyoglossus muscle and decussates with it.
The styloglossus muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), which is the case for all muscles of the tongue except for the palatoglossus muscle, which is supplied by the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve (CN X). The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the tongue, which are involved in changing the tongue's shape.
The styloglossus muscle is a bilaterally paired muscle, meaning that both muscles contract simultaneously to aid in retracting the tongue. This bilateral contraction also helps to elevate the sides of the tongue, creating a trough that facilitates the swallowing process. The styloglossus muscle is an important component of the tongue's complex muscular structure, working in conjunction with other muscles to enable a range of functions, including speech, mastication (chewing), and deglutition (swallowing).
Muscle Man: What It Means and How to Become One
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The palatoglossus muscle is the only extrinsic tongue muscle not innervated by the hypoglossal nerve
The tongue is a muscular organ formed by 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. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) provides motor innervation to almost all of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
However, the palatoglossus muscle, an extrinsic muscle, is an exception. It is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) or the pharyngeal plexus of the vagus nerve, also known as the glossopharyngeal nerve. This is because the palatoglossus muscle is associated with the soft palate and the oropharyngeal isthmus. The contraction of the palatoglossus muscle elevates the posterior tongue, closes the oropharyngeal isthmus, and aids in swallowing. It also prevents the spill of saliva from the vestibule into the oropharynx by maintaining the palatoglossal arch.
The genioglossus, another extrinsic muscle, is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve. It is a fan-shaped muscle that makes up most of the tongue's body. It arises from the mental spine of the mandible and inserts into the hyoid bone and the bottom of the tongue. The genioglossus muscle is responsible for protruding or sticking out the tongue. When the left and right genioglossus muscles contract together, they depress the centre of the tongue at its back. This contraction stabilises and enlarges the upper airway, preventing the tongue from sinking backwards and obstructing the airway.
Muscle Stabilizers: Supporting Your Body's Structural Integrity
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The genioglossus muscle is negatively affected by oral pathologies and systemic diseases
The genioglossus muscle is a fan-shaped extrinsic muscle that forms the bulk of the tongue. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve and receives its blood supply from the sublingual branch of the lingual artery. This muscle is responsible for protruding the tongue and depressing the centre of the tongue at its back.
Oral pathologies, such as oral cancer, can affect the genioglossus muscle. For instance, during a hemiglossectomy, which is a surgical procedure performed on the lateral portion of the tongue to treat oral cancer, the anterior and middle portions of the genioglossus muscle are removed. This resection can inhibit the proper functioning of the genioglossus muscle, leading to difficulties in protruding and elevating the tongue, resulting in speech problems.
Additionally, systemic diseases, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are associated with the genioglossus muscle. During REM sleep, the genioglossus muscle tends to relax, which can cause airway obstruction. This is because the genioglossus muscle normally helps to stabilise and enlarge the upper airway. When it relaxes, the tongue can sink backward, obstructing the airway.
Furthermore, the genioglossus muscle can influence the function of the temporomandibular joint and the hyoid bone. Its size and electrical activity contribute to maximal sniff nasal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, as well as the production of certain phonemes.
In summary, the genioglossus muscle plays a crucial role in tongue movement, airway maintenance, and speech. Oral pathologies and systemic diseases can negatively impact its function, leading to potential health complications and communication difficulties.
Hardening Chest Muscles: Effective Strategies for a Stronger You
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The hyoglossus muscle depresses the tongue by retruding and depressing its lateral margins.
The hyoglossus muscle is a quadrangular muscle that originates from the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone. It makes up a large part of the floor of the oral cavity.
The genioglossus muscles, styloglossus, and the palatoglossus are extrinsic muscles that are involved in the movement of the tongue.
