Muscles of the tongue

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The tongue is a muscular organ composed of two major muscle groups: extrinsic and intrinsic. The extrinsic muscles originate outside of the tongue and mainly function to move the tongue as a whole (i.e. gross movement). The intrinsic muscles are contained within the tongue itself and alter its size and shape to produce fine movements for talking and swallowing.

The extrinsic muscles consist of the:

• Genioglossus muscle (“genio” - genial (a.k.a. mental) spine; “glossus” - tongue): A triangular muscle which protrudes and depresses the tongue.
• Hyoglossus muscle (“hyo” - hyoid bone): A thin muscle, which depresses the tongue.
• Styloglossus muscle (“stylo” - styloid process): Draws the tongue upwards and backwards and divide the tongue into two parts (longitudinal and oblique).
• Palatoglossus muscle (“palato” - soft palate): Elevates the root of tongue and closes off the oropharynx.

The intrinsic muscles consist of the

• Superior longitudinal muscle: makes the tongue concave and together with the inferior longitudinal muscle, shortens the tongue.
• Inferior longitudinal muscle: makes the tongue convex.
• Vertical muscle of the tongue: flattens and widens the tongue.
• Transverse muscle of the tongue: narrows and elongates the tongue.

All of the lingual muscles innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), except for the palatoglossus muscle, which receives its innervation from the vagus nerve via the pharyngeal plexus.

In this video you will learn about the 8 pairs of muscles of the tongue. It shows their insertion and origin, as well as their vascular supply, function and innervation.

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